Michael Fridjohn, chairman of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, visited Kleine Zalze last week to present the awards. PHOTO: Supplied / Kleine Zalze
A Stellenbosch-based wine estate was recently awarded as Most Successful Producer Overall in the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show (OMTWS).
Kleine Zalze, which was named the most successful producer in the wine show, won the Old Mutual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine and the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc.
“Kleine Zalze had two Best-in-Class Trophies, whereas its nearest competitor had two category gold medals. That gave the cellar an unassailable lead,” said Michael Fridjhon, the OMTWS chairman.
“We strive for elegance and balance on all our wines at all levels,” says Alastair Rimmer, cellar master at Kleine Zalze.
Pictured (from left to right) : RJ Botha, Kleine Zalze winemaker, Alastair Rimmer, Kleine Zalze cellar master, Kobus Basson, Kleine Zalze owner. PHOTO: Supplied / Kleine Zalze
According to Alastair Rimmer, cellar master at Kleine Zalze, the winemakers from the estate were “delighted” by the awards and the recognition from the OMTWS.
“It does really show that our team is able to produce great wines at a variety of levels and styles,” said Rimmer.
The Old Mutual Trophy for Best Sparkling Wine was awarded to Kleine Zalze for its Vintage Brut Méthode Cap Classique 2013.
“The 2013 Cap Classique is an amazing wine and we think it truly epitomises the almost perfect balance of freshness and texture that is so difficult to achieve with Cap Classique,” Rimmer said.
Pictured (from left to right): Norman Paulse, Kleine Zalze cellar manager, Lizemari Geldenhuys, Kleine Zalze winemaker, Michael Fridjohn, Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show chairman. PHOTO: Supplied / Kleine Zalze
The Harold Eedes Trophy was awarded as the Best Chenin Blanc for the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2018.
“The [wine] includes grapes from three different Stellenbosch vineyards, all over 40 years of age, and yet again shows the value of old vines. In particular, it shows great fruit purity,” said Christian Eedes, show judge and wine expert.
The Harold Eedes trophy is also named for Christian Eedes’ late father, the previous publisher of WINE Magazine who “worked hard to help bring about the Chenin Blanc renaissance in the 1990s”, Eedes said.
VIDEO: Sarah Hoek
“We are always grateful to be recognised by such an esteemed judging panel and are delighted by the affirmation of our commitment to quality,” said Rimmer.
Other Stellenbosch wine estates recognised at the show included Mulderbosch Vineyards, Stellenbosch Vineyards, and Warwick Estate.
“If you review the results this year you will see that Stellenbosch did particularly well, with the lion’s share of the trophies and golds,” said Fridjhon.