Results announced for the first South Africa Selection by CMB

In the exciting first South Africa Selection by CMB (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles), held on 18 and 19 September in Somerset West, a total of 68 medals and trophies have been awarded to deserving South and Southern African producers. Strictly adhering to the competition’s rules of awarding only 30% of entries, a total of five trophies were awarded, as well as four Grand Gold medals, 23 Gold medals and 36 silver medals.

This includes a Grand Gold medal awarded to a Namibian gin, and trophies to a Merlot from Stellenbosch and a Hanepoot Jerepiko from Goudini.

Five trophies are awarded:

• The highest scoring entry in the competition, Stellenview’s Great Five Reserve Merlot 2019, has been awarded the Grand Prix Trophy sponsored by international label printing behemoth, Multi Color Corporation (MCC).
• De Groote Vlakte Hanepoot Jerepiko 2023, made by AB Rossouw in Rawsonville, receives the trophy for the Highest Scoring Sweet Wine, sponsored by Anchor Oenology.
• Described by spirits judge Marlene Bester as “a great example of a very good vodka with clean flavours on the nose and palate, and a smooth finish”, Cruz Vintage Black Vodka was named the winner of the 2024 Spirits Trophy, awarded by Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen. The award brings with it a one-year listing in the four exciting Cause Effect outlets, created by master mixologist Kurt Schlechter.
• Domaine des Dieux’s Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2018 walks off with the trophy for the Best Cap Classique, sponsored by African Cellar Suppliers.
• KWV was awarded the 2024 Brandy Trophy for its 10 Year Barrel Select Potstill Brandy. The trophy is proudly sponsored by Trane Service First Group.

Four Grand Gold medals are awarded:
The highest scoring gin by far in the 2024 competition, was Stillhouse Wild Gin, produced in Swakopmund, Namibia by owner/distiller Sandy le Roux has earned one of only four Grand Gold medals for this innovative gin. Described by spirits judge Marlene Bester as a gin with “beautiful integrated subtle flavours of rose and Turkish delight with a lingering aftertaste”.

Three more Grand Gold medals were awarded to the following wines:

1. Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Lighthouse Merlot 2021
2. Klein Roosboom Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2023
3. Raka Pinotage 2022

A further 59 wines and spirits were awarded gold and silver medals. Find the complete results here

Unique opportunities:
Director of the South Africa Selection by CMB, Lorraine Immelman, noted that “although a humble beginning for this exciting new national competition, we are happy with the industry’s support and especially with the results! Rated as one of the world’s most sought-after and prestigious global wine and spirits competitions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles focuses on discovering and identifying the best wines and spirits through influential wine buyers, sommeliers and journalists. Over the next few months this competition will add immense value for its winners as it benchmarks the best that our producers have to offer – both locally and internationally.  For that reason, I am confident that it will grow from strength to strength from here on to become the most valuable and prestigious competition for both South and Southern Africa producers and consumers.”

Quentin Havaux, CMB’s CEO: ” The main goal of the competition is to provide a marketing tool for producers, both at the local market level and, why not, internationally! I am also delighted with this first edition, which I hope is the beginning of a great adventure for South Africa, a country that already has a strong connection with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles! ”

On completion of the judging, Jan McMahon, representing Spar in Switzerland on the judging panel, commented: “I think South Africa has two great opportunities regarding export markets: first of all, they can offer a very good value for money due to lower costs in certain areas of the wine making. I realize that the goal (and the necessity) is to rise purchasing prices, but I don’t think the timing now is the best.
The second value is found in premium wines that can compete with great wines all over the world. This is an important part of the export market to keep SA on the map as a top producing wine country.”

High praise for South African brandies:
A total of 20 brandies were entered in the competition, resulting in five gold medals, three silvers and one trophy being awarded.

Judge Mare-Loe Prinsloo commented: “The brandies we tasted on the second day – which were the pot still brandies of ten years and older – were a highlight. I found the category to be fruity, complex and well balanced with good oak integration.  On average the quality of all the spirits were good.

“I do not think the local market/consumer has the full appreciation of the exceptional quality of South African brandy, irrespective of the producer.”

• A small ceremony is planned for later this year to honour our top winners and support our sponsors. Details will be announced in the media.

This year’s panel consisted of the following 15 tasters:

View pictures of the 2024 competition here

The visuals of the medals can be downloaded here:

Press contact:
Lorraine Immelman lorraine.immelman@vinopres.com

About Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is one of the most significant international events of its kind.

Over 10 000 wines and spirits from around the world are entered each year by producers to be judged by a panel of experts.

Our judges taste these wines and spirits with one guiding principle: to single out wines of irreproachable quality, with no bias stemming from the label or an appellation’s prestige, and then to assist and guide the producer in developing and supporting new markets for their awarded products.