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Roodezandt causes a sensation
"This just goes to show that Sauvignon Blanc can be made in Robertson," says cellar master/manager Abé Rossouw, who considers it an important breakthrough, thanks to an integrated approach by the winemaking team, viticulturists and producer members of the cellar. "This cultivar can be made in Robertson's mild climate provided Mother Nature, technology, knowledge and teamwork come together under specific circumstances," he adds.
The previous two SA champion Sauvignon Blanc wines both came from the coastal region, namely Cape Point in 2000 and Vergelegen in 1999, with Clos Malverne's Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot winning last year. Sauvignon Blanc is the only white wine cultivar that has been able to secure the formidable Genl Smuts Trophy in the 51 year history of the competition. This year saw 94 Sauvignon entries, four of which in the section for wood matured (three winners of gold). Chardonnay had 158 entries, 71 of which unwooded and 87 wooded (17 gold). The ever-popular Cabernet had 162 entries altogether.
Usually the wines from the Young Wine Show are not available on the market, but this year the SA Champion Sauvignon Blanc and overall SA Champion from Roodezandt Vineyards and Wines will in fact be sold. It may be purchased from the cellar at R20 per bottle, but clients are limited to six bottles each. "Coincidentally" the price went up by about R4 per bottle after the competition. It is also available at certain liquor stores. Altogether 700 cases of wine were bottled and again as many were to be bottled after the great achievement.
The award was conferred at a gala dinner at Nederburg - presented by the South African National Wine Show Association (SANW) and Agri-Expo. For the first time, the 1 997 young wines entered competed for 19 SA championship tropies, as opposed to eight in previous years. The number of trophies was increased to represent a wider spectrum of wine styles.
The main topic of discussion this year was not only the fact that the overall champion came from the "warmer" interior, but also that the name of the winner, despite enormous efforts to secrecy, had leaked out before the "Oscars event". Apparently two of the judges put two and two together, which set the bush telegraph abuzz.
Meanwhile the organisers regrouped and decided upon a new system for next year, in which three very competent judges will choose the winner "blind" from the ranks of the 17 class winners. Gold medals are to be awarded to the wines that score 17 or more points out of 20; the class winner and overall champion will then be selected from their ranks by means of various tastings.
Meanwhile Abé assures us that this success was not just a fluke. Their cellar has a team of winemakers and a full-time viticulturist who, in conjunction with their 63 producer members, identifies the grapes from specific vineyard blocks for various purposes according to character. These grapes are from two particularly cool blocks on two farms along the Breede River, namely Charl du Toit's La Maison and Klipboslaagte which belongs to Grant and Aston Smuts - family of the late General Smuts.
At present the winning wine is fresh and fruity, with a fascinating "dusty" nose. On taste there are hints of greenpepper and a grassiness, particularly on the aftertaste, as well as green apple that lingers as a creamy texture on the palate.
With regard to the other results, Boland Wine Cellar of Paarl fared exceptionally well by winning four trophies. Their Sauvignon Blanc/Chenin Blanc blend was named the SA Champion Dry White Blend, while their Chenin Blanc won the SA Champion Chenin Blanc Trophy. The cellar's Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (wooded) is the SA Champion Dry Red Blend. What is more, cellar master Altus le Roux and his team also walked away with the coveted Pietman Hugo Trophy - for the most points with the five best entries.
Slanghoek Cellar near Worcester won the trophy for the SA Champion Noble Late Harvest wine for the fourth time in a row with their excellent Noble Late Harvest wine. For the second time, this cellar's Red Muscadel Jerepigo was selected as the SA Champion Muscadel.
André and Jacques Bruwer of Bon Courage Estate in Robertson won the trophy for the SA Champion Natural Sweet White Wine for the third time this year. The cellar's Colombar is the SA Champion Other White Cultivar.
The other trophy winners are:
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by Cassie du Plessis
The stars of the evening! Front, ltr, Jurie du Plessis (Badsberg), Jurie Germishuys (Boland), Henri Swiegers (Slanghoek), Naudé Bruwer (Boland), Christo Pienaar (Slanghoek), Elmo du Plessis (Roodezandt), Christie Steytler (Roodezandt), Hannes Coetzee (Paradyskloof) and Willie Burger (Badsberg).
Back ltr Bernard Smuts (Boland), Altus le Roux (Boland), Zakkie Bester (Riebeek), André Bruwer (Bon Courage), Jacques Bruwer (Bon Courage), Nicolaas Rust (Seidelberg), Erik Schlünza (Groot Eiland), Niel Groenewald (Perdeberg), Wilhelm de Vries (Koelenhof), John Loubser (Steenberg), Abé Rossouw (Roodezandt), Anton Laas (Roodezandt), Piet Bruwer (Roodezandt), Anton Bredell (JP Bredell) and Hugo Conradie (Badsberg).
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