Franschhoek became the first town outside of Europe to host the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon competition, last month. The wine competition started 14 years ago, but had previously only been hosted within European countries. This year, it was hosted at the Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa. This is according to Eunice Joubert, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa secretariat.
The Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, was held in partnership with Sauvignon Blanc South Africa from 13 to 17 March, according to Dr Carien Coetzee, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa’s technical liaison.
“It was, in my opinion, completely different, it’s the first time being hosted outside of Europe… We have the natural beauty in the country, the hospitality, the wine, the culture, the food,” said Dr Carien Coetzee, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa’s technical liaison. Pictured here is Coetzee, who also acted as a judge for the competition. PHOTO: Supplied/Carien Coetzee
A taste of South Africa’s wine culture
“We [Sauvignon Blanc South Africa] put in a bid for the competition to be held in South Africa, and then they accepted it,” explained Joubert.
“[We wanted] to expose the judges and guests to one of South Africa’s wine growing regions,” said Coetzee.
There were “…50 judges from across four continents and 19 nationalities, including journalists, winemakers and buyers,” contended Coetzee.
“It was a big undertaking, we had to really pull in all of our industry partners to combine and make this event possible,” added Coetzee.
“We wanted to host it in a wine growing region, to expose the judges and guests to one of South Africa’s wine growing regions,” said Dr Carien Coetzee, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa’s technical liaison. PHOTO: Sauvignon Blanc South Africa website.
Results are in
South Africa secured 56 medals in the competition, 26 gold and 30 silver, according to Yolandi de Wet, PR spokesperson for Sauvignon Blanc South Africa. As a result, South Africa has made itself known as a significant Sauvignon Blanc region, said De Wet.
“Internationally, the Villiera Bush Vine wine did the best among the wooded wines,” said Coetzee.
The 2022 Villiera Bush Vine won the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy for “best matured wine in oak casks”, according to the Sauvignon Blanc South Africa website.
“This wine comes from a single block of old Certified Heritage Bush Vines, planted in 1984,” according to Cathy Grier Brewer, director at Villiera Wines.
“Where the Villiera did the best internationally, the Gustus wine was the best wine locally,” explained Coetzee.
“It makes you proud to see the judges’ faces when they experience our culture and wine,” said Dr Carien Coetzee, Sauvignon Blanc South Africa’s technical liaison. PHOTO: Mia van der Merwe
The 2020 Gustus Sauvignon Blanc from Darling Cellars won the Revelation South Africa trophy “for best performing South African wine…”, according to the Sauvignon Blanc South Africa website.
“There is a very unique influence from the cold Atlantic Ocean on our vineyards and winestyles,” said Pieter-Niel Rossouw, head-winemaker at Darling Cellars.