With snow and freezing temperatures featuring on the weather charts, it’s time for robust reds and full-bodied fortified wines, while rare steaks will be many diners’ first choice. These names of recent winners and finalists in national competitions could offer inspiration to both winelovers and those who eat out with relish...
TOP TEN FINALISTS IN THE WOLFTRAP STEAKHOUSE CHAMPIONSHIP
The first round of the 2017 Wolftrap Steakhouse Championships is complete and these finalists represent those who garnered most votes from the public. The judges now take over for the final round.
In alphabetical order
- Beef Boys Grill, Potchefstroom – North West
- HQ, Cape Town - Western Cape
- Jayz Grill, Pietermaritzburg - KwaZulu Natal
- Karoo Cattle and Land - Irene, Pretoria - Gauteng
- Little Havana, Umhlanga Rocks - KwaZulu Natal (2015 Champion)
- Rare Grill, Kenilworth - Western Cape
- The Cricketer, East London - Eastern Cape
- The Godfather, Centurion, Pretoria - Gauteng
- The Grumpy Griller, George - Southern Cape
- The Local Grill, Parktown North, Johannesburg - Gauteng (2013, 2014 and 2016 Champion)
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TOP SCORERS IN THE CAPE BORDEAUX RED BLEND REPORT
Winemag.co.za released the results of the high scorers among the 60 entries that were received from 45 producers for the 2017 competition. The following 25 rated 90 or more on the 100-point scale.
Just one, Thelema Rabelais 2013 achieved 94. Three collected 93 – Morgenster 2011, MR de Compostella 2014 and Tokara Director’s Reserve Red 2013. Those scored 92 were Holden manx Big G 2013, Rustenberg John X Merriman 2015, and Simonsig Tiara 2011.
Many made 91: Allee Bleue Cabernet sauvignon Merlot 2014, Beyerskloof Field Blend 2013,
Groot Constantia Gouverneurs Reserve 2014, LaibachThe Ladybird 2015, Longridge Ekliptika 2014, Morgenster 2012,Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 2014, Muratie Ansela van de Caab 2013, Rustenberg John X Merriman 2014, Spier Creative Block 5 2014, Zorgvliet Richelle 2015.
The following blends were scored 90 points:Allée Bleue L'AmourToujours 2013, Creation Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Petit Verdot 2015,KnorhoekPantère 2014, La Vierge Nymphomane 2015, Villiera Monro Red 2013, VriesenhofKallista 2011, and Vondeling Philosophie 2015.
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SHIRAZ STARS FOR 2017 ANNOUNCED
The results of the fifth Shiraz Challenge awards were announced recently at the Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in Paarl. SA Shiraz chairperson Edmund Terblanche announced that 220 wines vied for honours.“Initially we focused only on Shiraz, but soon after we invited winemakers to put forward their best blends as well... We’ve witnessed consistent growth in the blends category.”
The shiraz winners are:
Cederberg Shiraz 2015
D'Aria The Soprano Shiraz 2015
Eagle's Nest Shiraz 2014
Fairview Beacon Shiraz 2014
Fairview Swartland Shiraz 2014
Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz 2013
KWV Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2015
La Motte Pierneef Syrah Viognier 2015
Rustenberg Buzzard Kloof Syrah 2015
Saronsberg Shiraz 2015
Strandveld Syrah 2013
Wildekrans Barrel Select Reserve Shiraz 2015
While the Top Three shiraz-led blends are:
Bellingham The Bernard Series SMV 2014
Rustenberg Stellenbosch RM Nicholson 2015 and
Saronsberg Full Circle
MOREISH MUSCADEL WINNERS
Muskadel SA 2017 Platinum Winners l to r Alvi van der Merwe (Alvi's Drift) Chris Venter (ORC) Tiaan Loubser (Du Toitskloof Kelder)
There were 23 entries in this year‘s Muskadel SA Awards contest, and the Orange River Cellars emerged triumphant overall for the third consecutive year.
Orange River Cellars White Muskadel 2016 and Red Muscadel 2016 both received platinum awards, adding more medals to their stock of five platinum and two gold since 2013. Also awarded platinum were Du Toitskloof Cellar Red Muscadel 2014 and Alvi’s Drift Premium 2014.
Nuy winery took home gold for their Rooi muskadel 2012 as did Rooiberg for their Red Muscadel 2014.
Gold awards
Two cellars situated on the R60 between Worcester and Robertson was awarded gold; Nuy Winery for their Nuy Rooi Muskadel 2012 and Rooiberg Cellarfor their Rooiberg Red Muscadel 2014.
Another winner from the Northern Cape is Landzicht GWK Wines who took home gold for their Landzicht Rooi Muskadel 2016 and Boplaas from Calitzdorp scored with gold for their Boplaas Heritage Collection 2014.
