The Stellenbosch and Constantia lah-di-dahs often don’t bother too much entering for it, while in Vredendal and Worcester it is regarded as the event of the year. It’s known for its massive and numerous trophies that carry imposing names like Genl Smuts and often date back long before their recipients. This is the oldest, biggest and yet least understood wine show in the industry.
Yup, the Young Wine Show is one of a kind. No other wine producing country has a competition on the same scale and a current vintage approach. And where the more glamorous bottled product shows like Veritas and the Old Mutual Wine Show have a measurable, direct commercial value, the YWS has a more complex, unique role.
It often takes an outsider’s view to understand something that locals have become used to and even take for granted. KWV’s Aussie import, Richard Rowe, was full of praise for the show, following his first year of participation. He said that it is the perfect way for wineries to realise where they are standing among their peers, a measure of the standard of products – by varietal, style and region.
This is going to be the third year that I write and compile WineLand’s annual Young Wine Show Feature and I can fully concur with Richard’s sentiments. Although the fact that most of the wines entered won’t be available on the shelves exactly as they were evaluated in the competition, has obvious commercial drawbacks, it also has distinct advantages.
A gold at the YWS won’t result in bling stickers and wines flying off the shelves, but it offers wineries the opportunity to experiment with smaller batches, without the risk and investment of bottling and putting it on the shelves.
I recently went to the Breedekloof and Worcester Regional Young Wine Show and often heard comments like, “Ja, but they recently ordered a bunch of small tanks specifically for the YWS.” Ja … but so what! If they (whoever ‘they’ are), improve their total production by identifying special tricks and techniques through experimental wines, good for “them”!
The YWS has always been of particular importance for co-operative cellars – and with very good reason. The big buyers take note when a cellar performs, and prices are very often determined accordingly. There are even cases where bonuses and salary increases are directly influenced by the outcome of the YWS.
All of this leads to motivation. Motivation to invest in cellar equipment, go the extra mile in the vineyard and eventually make distinguished wines.
Micro-cellars are increasingly proving their worth in the larger production setup. Namaqua’s Chateau Cellar and KWV’s are good examples of this.
Judging is mostly done by winemakers, which adds a measured-by-your-peers-appeal to the measured-against-your-peers-factor. This could possibly result in a fairly technical evaluation, compared to tasting in line with the market trends.
Whether this is good or bad, is another lengthy debate – but for the YWS, I think it serves its purpose. Aren’t winemakers supposed to be in touch with consumer’s needs in any case? Let’s hope so!
The 2010 vintage is unlikely to go down as a Cape stand-out. And this applies for volume and quality. Today is the vintage’s judgement day and in a few hours time, the outcome of hours of hard labour, substantial investment and winemakers’ decisions will be revealed.
Holding thumbs…
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