SOUTH AFRICA came away from the 2022 International Wine & Spirit Competition (UK) with more gold medals than any other country, including France. Of the thousands of wines entered, nearly 700 were from 169 producers in the Cape, with 88% of these awarded a medal: 28 gold, 234 silver and 355 bronze. Top-scoring for South Africa were Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, the 2020 Kershaw GPS white blend and the 2015 G.V.B red blend from Vergelegen.

The competition is usually conducted entirely in London, but on this occasion the judging of the SA entries took place in the country of origin, with internationals including Masters of Wine and Master Sommeliers teaming up with resident sommeliers and other professionals. The visiting panellists: Alistair Cooper MW, Elizabeth Kelly MW, Victoria Mason, Matteo Montone MS and David Kermode. The local panellists: Spencer Fondaumiere, Janine Van Zyl, Malu Lambert, Pearl Oliver, Greg Mutambe, Jono Le Feuvre, Christine Rudman, Christian Eedes and Wellington Muromba.

IWSC judging committee member Alistair Cooper had this to say: “The judges were delighted by the wines on offer and the medal tally reflects this quality on offer. The rate at which South Africa has developed over the past 15 years is nothing short of astonishing. It is quite possibly the most dynamic wine-producing country in the world currently, with classic styles continuing to be honed as well as extremely exciting new projects. Producers are showing a much deeper understanding of which cultivars are suited to the Cape such as Rhône reds and whites and the classic Bordeaux varietals.”

Strangely, before announcing the South African winners the competition organisers listed a number of SA sparkling wine producers, albeit that none of the country’s Cap Classique bubblies were among the gold medallists! See below for South Africa’s top-rated wines at IWSC 2022, with the trophy winners to be confirmed several weeks down the line. For the full results to date, click here.

 

97/100 GOLD MEDALLISTS

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2005
Museum Class entry, cellar in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Kershaw GPS Cape South Coast Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R395pb ex-cellar, Elgin

Vergelegen G.V.B Red 2015
R650pb ex-cellar, Somerset West

96/100 GOLD MEDALLISTS

Delheim Edelspatz Botrytis Riesling 2020
R330pb (375ml) ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay 2020
R470pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Kanonkop Pinotage 2006
Museum Class entry, cellar in Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Piekenierskloof Heirloom Red 2020
R210pb ex-cellar, Citrusdal Valley

Quest Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021
R180pb from Du Toitskloof cellar, Rawsonville

Stellenbosch Vineyards Credo Chenin Blanc 2021
R165pb ex-cellar, Vlottenburg-Stellenbosch

95/100 GOLD MEDALLISTS

Cloof Duckitt Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2020
R95pb ex-cellar, Darling

Constantia Uitsig Natura Vista 2021 (White Blend)
R135pb ex-cellar, Constantia

Danie Steytler Pinotage 2020
Export Only, by Kaapzicht (Bottelary-Stellenbosch) for Naked Wines (UK)

Diemersdal Journal Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R335pb ex-cellar, Durbanville

Gabriëlskloof Cabernet Franc 2020
R450pb ex-cellar, Bot River

Ghost Corner Syrah 2020
Price t.b.c. – Cederberg Private Cellar

Jordan Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 2020
R225pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Jordan Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
R225pb ex-cellar, Stellenbosch Kloof

Journey’s End V5 Cabernet Franc 2019
R198pb ex-cellar, Sir Lowry’s Pass, Somerset West

Kanonkop Black Label Pinotage 2019
R2000pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Kanonkop Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
R540pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Stellenbosch

Klein Constantia Sauvignon Blanc 2020
R150pb ex-cellar, Constantia

Mariëtte Chenin Blanc 2020
R185pb from Le Belle Rebelle, Rawsonville

Our Origin Pledge Sauvignon Blanc 2021
R150pb from Le Grand Domaine, Devon Valley, Stellenbosch

Perdeberg Vineyard Collection Grenache Blanc 2021
R95pb ex-cellar, Paarl

Plaisir de Merle Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
R265pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl

Rijk’s Reserve Pinotage 2016
R560pb ex-cellar, Tulbagh

Vergelegen G.V.B White 2020
R440pb ex-cellar, Somerset West

Vrede en Lust Barrique Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2019
R175pb ex-cellar, Simonsberg-Paarl