The Pinotage Association is proud to host the eighth consecutive Absa Vintage Pinotage class competition and is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Institute of Cape Wine Masters, which will bring a fresh perspective to the judging and selection process for the Absa Vintage competition.
The aim of the competition is to raise awareness and appreciation for older Pinotage wines among consumers in both local and international markets. The organizers aim for the 2023 competition to be bigger and better than ever before, and hope to receive a record number of entries.
This year’s wine entries will be judged by Cape Wine Masters, and there are new and exciting prizes to be won. The winning wines of the Absa Vintage Pinotage class competition will be automatically listed at a well-known 5-star restaurant and will receive diverse media coverage on various traditional, social, and digital media platforms.
To give the entered wines time to truly showcase their aging potential, the competition will now be judged over a period of two days. Bennie Howard CWM, the convener of this year’s competition, along with the following Cape Wine Masters – Anton Swarts CWM, Christine Rudman CWM, Colin Frith CWM, and Sandy Harper CWM – will be responsible for tasting and judging the entries. With years of experience in the industry, they will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the judging process.
“The Institute of Cape Wine Masters is a prestigious South African organization of wine experts, and their involvement in the competition will undoubtedly raise the bar for excellence in judging,” says Beyers Truter, chairman of the Pinotage Association. “With their knowledge and experience, the new judges will be able to provide a more nuanced and comprehensive evaluation of the wines, ensuring that the competition continues to be a respected benchmark of quality in the industry.”
Every wine entered in this year’s competition will receive feedback on scoring and commentary from the judging process within 3 days after the winners are announced. If not received, an application can be made directly to the competition organizers.
The Absa Vintage Pinotage competition is renowned for highlighting some of the best Pinotage wines in South Africa, and this year’s competition promises to be no exception. To participate, wines must be older than 10 years and must have been produced using Pinotage grapes grown in South Africa. Stock availability is a bonus for exclusive marketing opportunities but not a requirement to enter.
“The judging process will be conducted in accordance with strict guidelines and criteria set forth by the competition organizers. Judges will evaluate the wines based on their aroma, flavour, structure, and aging potential. In addition, judges will also consider the overall balance of the wine and how well it has aged over time,” says Jacques Steyn, chairman of the ICWM.
The Absa Vintage Pinotage class competition offers an excellent opportunity for all Pinotage producers to receive exposure and recognition for their exceptional older vintage wines. With the 100-year anniversary of the Pinotage grape coming up in 2025, the goal is to showcase the legacy of Pinotage, and all Pinotage producers are encouraged to make their older wines part of the Pinotage story.
The winners of the Absa Vintage Pinotage competition will be announced at an event held on 21 June 2023. In addition to receiving recognition for their outstanding wines, winners will be invited to showcase their wines at a bespoke tasting event in October 2023.
The Pinotage Association competition’s has become a staple event in the South African wine industry, and the introduction of this new way of selecting the Vintage class will only serve to further elevate the competition.
For more information on the Absa Vintage Pinotage competition, including how to enter, rules and regulations, biography of judging panel, please visit the associations website. www.pinotage.co.za
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