The 2017 Sommeliers Selection winners were announced at a trendy ceremony and tasting in Stellenbosch on Thursday 27 July.
South Africa’s first wine competition judged only by top South African sommeliers has something to offer for every taste. All wines are tasted blind, and the sommeliers follow a stylistic approach looking specifically for balance and freshness.
These are wines selected for enjoyment and aimed at the everyday wine drinker. The philosophy is reflected in the fact that winners – referred to as “listed wines” – literally appear on a wine list organised according to non-technical categories such as ‘Economically savvy wine by the glass’ and ‘Elegant & classy reds’.
The wine-list approach also means there is a category for craft beer. Who said sommeliers are only interested in wine?
The judging sommeliers all have extensive local and international experience, which assures winners of a well-deserved sense of recognition. “It is quite encouraging to know that my wine has been specifically selected by a top sommelier,” says De Wet Lategan from Bergsig Estate, whose 2014 Icarus was announced as a winner in the category ‘Voluptuous & rich reds’.
The Sommeliers Selection wine list will be passed on to restaurants countrywide and becomes part of a year-long promotional campaign ensuring wide exposure and recognition.
Congratulations to the winners!
