The inaugural SA Wine Awards London 2022 results have been announced and confirm that South African winemaking is hitting its stride in achieving world-class results.
Fourteen Double Gold medals were awarded to a range of outstanding wines. Meanwhile, there were 34 Gold medal winners. Over 200 wines were entered, representing a broad range of producers and styles from all regions in South Africa.
Best Red Wine went to Kleine Zalze’s Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, while Best White Wine was awarded to the Old Road Wine Co. Grand Mere Sémillon 2020, and Best MCC was won by Journey’s End Brut Reserve MCC NV.
SA Wine Awards London judging panel (from left to right): Greg Sherwood (MW), Siobhan Turner (MW), Aleesha Hansel, Martin Moran (MW), Audrey Annoh-Antwi and Eric Zwiebel (MS).
The Best Producer Award went to Journey’s End Vineyards with an accumulated total of three Double Gold’s and one each for their Gabb Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 and Mount Rozier Reserve Red Snapper Cinsault 2021. They also bagged three single gold medals, bringing their total to an impressive eight wins.
The wines were judged by a panel of top-flight judges comprised of Greg Sherwood (MW), Siobhan Turner (MW), Martin Moran (MW), Aleesha Hansel, Audrey Annoh-Antwi and Eric Zwiebel (MS).
Greg Sherwood (MW) comments; ” I was really surprised by the consistency of quality across all reds and whites. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux Blend categories showed some exceptional wines in several of the flights. South Africa’s reds and whites tread a wonderful line between approachability and classicism, age ability and value for money,” he says.
“They don’t overdo the fruit and always focus on minerality and terroir if possible, making them perfect food wines for more sophisticated UK consumers.”
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- Journey’s End Vineyards won Best Producer
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- Journey’s End Vineyards winemaker Mike Dawson.
Echoing Greg’s feedback, Siobhan Turner (MW) added; “I was positively surprised by the Cabernet Sauvignons. There were some absolutely excellent examples in the tasting. I think at the higher end SA is making some of the best wines in the world right now, and this shows.“
The SA Wine Awards London were created exclusively for South African wines to be assessed by a UK based panel of top wine professionals.
The awards are aimed at identifying the best wines South Africa has to offer the UK market. The results will serve as a guideline to trade and consumers and will help increase trade and consumer awareness about quality South African wines.
For a full list of winners click here
Double Gold Winners
Brookdale Single Vineyard, Chenin Blanc 2020
Flagstone Word of Mouth, Viognier 2020
Gabb Family Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Hazendal Rousanne 2018
Hazendal Semillion Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Hazendal Syrah 2017
Journey’s End Family Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Journey’s End Sir Lowry, Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Journey’s End The Griffin, Syrah 2016
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection , Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
KWV The Mentors, Chenin Blanc 2020
Mount Rozier Reserve Red Snapper, Cinsault 2021
Old Road Wine Co. Grand Mere Semillon 2020
Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2019
Best Red Wine – Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2020.
Best White Wine – Old Road Wine Co. Grand Mere Semillon 2020.
Best MCC – Journey’s End Brut MCC NV
Best Producer – Journey’s End Vineyards
For more information, contact Eamon McLoughlin, convenor, eamon@sawineawards.co.uk.
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About SA Wine Awards London 2022
A wine competition in London exclusively for South African wines, judged by a panel of expert wine professionals.
“At a time when South Africa is making better wine than ever before, this competition will help to highlight some of the standout producers for UK consumers. The line-up of world class judges is sure to guarantee outstanding results.” – Samantha O’Keefe, Lismore Estate Vineyards.
