A COMPETITION of which the results are talked up in stages, the Global Fine Wine Challenge in Sydney picks up where the Six Nations Wine Challenge left off in 2019, prior to the Covid pandemic sweeping the world, with the 2021 edition contested by wines from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. At the time of writing, the names of the trophy and medal winners were simply listed online, with comment from the judges and an overview by convenor Ross Anderson expected a week later.
The trophies for best sparkling wine on show, best red wine on show and best white wine on show were awarded for South Africa's Quoin Rock Black Series Cap Classique 2014, Australia's 3drops Cabernet Franc 2018 and New Zealand's Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Terraces Chardonnay 2019, which also earned the trophy for best wine overall.
There were 20 trophies awarded in various classes, with Australia winning three, Canada two, New Zealand six, South Africa five and the USA four. South Africa won most double gold medals and Australia most golds! See below for the judges' favourite SA wines on show – including two from Le Riche – and for the full results and more info about the Challenge, click here.
Veteran South African wine critic, judge and convenor of the Trophy Wine Show in Cape Town, Michael Fridjhon has been associated with what was originally the Tri Nations Wine Challenge since it was first held in 2003. Fridjhon, Huon Hooke (AU), Bob Campbell MW (NZ), Patrick Comiskey (US) and Christopher Waters (CA) are each asked to select 120 wines from their respective country and participation by the various wineries is by invitation. Typically, the selectors would also be the panellists charged with judging the 600 wines, but due to travel restrictions resulting from the pandemic, the tasters in 2021 were limited to Australians, with local Masters of Wine filling in for the non-residents.
SA TROPHY WINNERS
Cederberg Five Generations Chenin 2020
R250pb ex-cellar, Cederberg
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R720pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Quoin Rock Black Series Cap Classique 2014
R750pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Stark-Condé Field Blend 2020 (White Blend)
R235pb ex-cellar, Jonkershoek-Stellenbosch
Tokara Director's Reserve Red 2018 (Blend)
R425pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
SA TROPHY RUNNERS-UP
Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Reserve Malbec 2020
R230pb ex-cellar, Wellington
Glenelly Lady May 2017 (Red Blend)
R630pb ex-cellar, Ida's Valley-Stellenbosch
Le Riche Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R720pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019
R235pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Thokozani Cabernet Franc 2019
R115pb from Diemersfontein, Wellington
ALSO DOUBLE GOLD MEDALLISTS
Bellingham Bernard Series Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2019
R189pb from Franschhoek Cellar, Franschhoek
Boschendal Jean Le Long Blanc de Blancs 2009 (MCC)
R820pb ex-cellar, Franschhoek
Eagles' Nest Viognier 2019
R195pb ex-cellar, Constantia
Ken Forrester Silver Rosé 2021 (Grenache)
R195pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
Mentors Cabernet Franc 2018
R280pb from KWV, Paarl
MR de Compostella 2017 (Red Blend)
R1500pb from Raats, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Namysto Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
R170pb from Quoin Rock, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Raats Family Cabernet Franc 2018
R600pb ex-producer, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch
Remhoogte Aspect Merlot 2016
R200pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Silverthorn Jewel Box 2017 (MCC)
R350pb ex-cellar, Robertson
Simonsig Gewürztraminer 2020 (Special Late Harvest)
R100pb ex-cellar, Koelenhof-Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch ‘1679' Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R375pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch ‘1679' Pinotage 2019
R270pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch ‘1679' Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2019
R190pb from Koelenhof Winery, Stellenbosch
Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R350pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch
Waterford Jem 2015 (Red Blend)
R1950pb ex-cellar, Helderberg-Stellenbosch
• For door-to-door delivery of award-winners in all major centres of South Africa, click here to order from specialist wine shop Norman Goodfellows.
