Concours Mondial du Sauvignon coming to South Africa!

For the first time in the 14-year history of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, South Africa will be the host country of the biggest and most significant international competition dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc, making it the first country outside of Europe to host this prestigious competition.

This news was announced on Saturday, 21 May 2022 in the Calabrian city of Cosenza in Italy, to an audience of 310 wine experts representing 45 nationalities, at the international Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.

The competition is hosted by the cultivar association Sauvignon Blanc South Africa in partnership with national, as well as international partners.

Over the past decade the competition has taken place in winegrowing regions all over Europe including Bordeaux, Touraine, Styria, Rueda, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Torres Vedras.

Concours Mondial in SA

Sauvignon Blanc has in recent years become an extremely popular varietal in the international marketplace.

“It’s South Africa’s top selling cultivar and our most exported varietal,” says association chairman, RJ Botha.

“South African Sauvignon Blanc is a unique asset which help build and maintain a strong brand reputation for the country. It makes perfect sense to host this competition, the largest and most significant international competition entirely dedicated to this cultivar, in the Cape Winelands,” RJ comments.

“To be the first host ever outside of Europe and in the Southern Hemisphere is an amazing accomplishment for our country and our wine industry.”

The association is excited to work closely with its platinum partners WESGRO, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and Vinventions, as well as bronze partners: Boutes South Africa, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Enartis and Beveratech to bring together hand-picked specialists from around the world to taste and evaluate some of the world’s best Sauvignon Blanc wines.

“It’s more than just a competition between producers and appellations,” says RJ. “It is aimed at fostering dialogue and creating a meeting point for industry specialists.”

In 2022, a total of 1 120 entries from 23 producer countries were evaluated by over 70 judges representing 20 nationalities, guaranteeing the outstanding diversity that sets it apart from other wine competitions.

“We look forward to hosting these international members of the wine industry, journalists, and wine writers on local soil. We are excited to introduce them to our country, our people, and our unique South African hospitality,” RJ concludes.

Anyone interested can visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or contact [email protected] | 021 975 4440.

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