Golds and more 17 September 2007

Michelangelo Awards announced

Those who like things to go in accordance with the generally held opinion of things will be pleased that a shiraz got the top spot at the 2007 Michelangelo International Wine Awards and a sauvignon blanc slotted in just behind. The Grand Prix Trophy went to Hartenberg’s The Stork Shiraz 2003. The runner's up award went to Stellenbosch Hills for their 2007 Sauvignon Blanc.

Michelangelo is the second-largest (after Veritas) of the local competitions. No doubt reflecting an increased urgency to find ways of persuading winelovers to buy, there were more entries than ever this year (1438 wines and brandies), to be judged by the panel of mostly foreign judges. According to the rules the competition abides by, a maxium of 30 per cent may be awarded a medal, and 440 medals went to 268 producers.

Somewhat oddly, the three levels of award are Double gold, Gold and Silver (why not gold, silver and bronze one might wonder? but of course producers love it because it makes their lower level medals sound grander); that is according to the press release, but just to make things a little confusing, on the website the ‘Double gold’ category is still referred to by the peculiar (and illiterate) ‘Grand d’Or’ name.

The red blend class was the largest this year, with 210 entries; there were 207 shiraz entries and 161 cabernet sauvignons. Sauvignon Blanc topped the white wine entries with 161. 

The Double Gold Medal winners are: 

• Bellevue Morkel Pinotage 2005

• Bon Courage Red Muscadel 2002

• Dasbosch Nectar de Provision Colombar 2006

• Bellingham The Maverick Syrah 2005

• Durbanville Hills Caapmans Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003

• Finlayson Edgebaston Shiraz 2004

• Groot Eiland Pinotage 2006

• Hartenberg The Stork Shiraz 2003

• Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc Barrel Fermented 2006

• Kloovenburg Shiraz 2005

• KWV Muskadel Jerepiko 1953

• KWV 20 Year Brandy

• Longridge Merlot 2004

• Lourensford Semillon NLH 2005

• Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur 2005

• Nederburg Eminence 2003

• Nitida Semillon 2006

• Nuy Rooi Muskadel 1998

• Raka Biography Shiraz 2004

• Rijk's Pinotage 2003 (Pinotage Trophy)

• Rijk's Bravado Red Blend 2002

• Southern Cape Barry Nephews Potstill Brandy 2003 (Brandy Trophy)

• Stellenbosch Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Stellenzicht Cellarmaster Release Pinotage 2005

• Swartland Indalo Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

• Uva Mira Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2007

• Waterford Cabernet Sauvignon 2004

• Wellington Wynkelder Shiraz Reserve 2003

• Wellington Cabernet Sauvignon 2003

• Zorgvliet Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Garagiste trophy: Leon Engelke Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. 

Best Organic Trophy: La Motte Pierneef Sauvignon Blanc 2007

Full results are available on the competition website