10 000 WINES from 46 countries, more than 300 judges on the panels tasting ‘blind’, labels out of sight, nine days of deliberation… Belgium’s international Concours Mondial du Bruxelles is one of the world’s largest wine competitions, and while the event was dominated by France, Spain, Italy and Portugal, South Africa came away with seven Grand Gold medals, 16 golds and 27 silvers.

Of South Africa’s Grand Gold winners, three were made from Pinotage, all from Stellenbosch cellars, and one was a Pinotage-led Cape Blend from the KWV winery in Paarl – The Mentors Perold 2018 going on to win a trophy for what the jury regarded as the finest entry from the Cape. In fact, the KWV did particularly well in the competition, as did Spier of Stellenbosch.

See below for the judges’ favourite SA wines on show. For the full results and info about Concours Mondial, click here.

REVELATION TROPHY

Mentors Perold 2018 (Red Blend)
R500pb from KWV cellar, Paarl

GRAND GOLD MEDALS

Mentors Canvas 2018 (Red Blend)
R279pb from KWV cellar, Paarl

Mentors Petit Verdot 2018
R279pb from KWV cellar, Paarl

Neethlingshof Owl Post Pinotage 2018
R275pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Saronsberg Seismic 2018 (Red Blend)
R160pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2017
R310pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Pinotage 2019
R270pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch

GOLD MEDALS

Cloof Pinotage 2018
R179pb ex-cellar, Darling

Donkiesbaai Steen 2020 (Chenin)
R275pb from Guardian Peak, Helderberg, Stellenbosch

Hazendal Pinotage 2017
R380pb ex-cellar, Bottelary, Stellenbosch

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R425pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Shiraz 2018
R162pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch

Mentors Chenin Blanc 2019
R150pb from KWV cellar, Paarl

Mentors Orchestra 2018 (Red Blend)
R280pb from KWV cellar, Paarl

Neil Ellis Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Export label, Stellenbosch cellar

Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019
R235pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R195pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Spier Seaward Pinotage 2019
R120pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Spier Seaward Pinotage 2020
R120pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Spier Seaward Shiraz 2019
R120pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg, Stellenbosch

Spier Yellowwood Organic Red Blend 2018
Export label, Stellenbosch cellar

Stellenbosch ‘1679’ Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2019
R190pb from Koelenhof Winery

Umbala Chenin Blanc 2020
Export label from producer Mare Magnum