Six trophies and three Grand Gold medals awarded at inaugural South Africa Selection by CMB
Stellenview, Raka Wine, De Groote Vlakte, Heineken Beverages, KWV and Domaine de Dieux take top honours
At an informal awards luncheon hosted by competition sponsor, Multi Color Corporation (MCC) in Paarl on Friday, a total of six trophies and three Grand Gold medals were awarded to deserving wines and spirits from South and southern Africa. Speaking at the event, MCC Paarl general manager, Flip Snyman said, “we are very proud to be associated with this competition and to be part of the South African wine industry. Congratulations to all the winners, and to Concours Mondial de Bruxelles for establishing this new competition in South Africa!”
In the exciting first South Africa Selection by CMB (Concours Mondial de Bruxelles), held in September in Somerset West, a total of 68 medals and trophies were awarded to deserving South and southern African producers. Strictly adhering to the competition’s rules of awarding only 30% of entries, a total of six trophies were also awarded, as well as three Grand Gold, 23 Gold and 36 silver medals.
Trophies were awarded to:
- The highest scoring entry in the competition, Stellenview’s Great Five Reserve Merlot 2019, was awarded the Grand Prix Trophy, sponsored by Multi Color Corporation (MCC).
- De Groote Vlakte Hanepoot Jerepiko 2023, made by AB Rossouw in Rawsonville, received the trophy for the Highest Scoring Sweet Wine, sponsored by Anchor Oenology.
- Heineken Beverages’ Cruz Vintage Black Vodka received the 2024 Spirits Trophy, sponsored by master mixologist, Kurt Schlechter of Cause&Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar
- Domaine des Dieux’s Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2018 for the Best Cap Classique, sponsored by African Cellar Suppliers.
- KWV 10 Year Barrel Select Potstill Brandy was awarded the 2024 Brandy Trophy sponsored by Trane Service First Group.
- Raka Wine Pinotage 2022 for the Best Oaked Red Wine, sponsored by the RX Group and TM Mercurey.
Three Grand Gold medals were awarded:
- Stillhouse Wild Gin, produced in Swakopmund by Namibia by Sandy le Roux of Stillhouse Atlantic.
- Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Lighthouse Merlot 2021
- Klein Roosboom Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2023
A further 59 wines and spirits were awarded gold and silver medals (find the complete results here: www.southafricaselection.com
Global and local exposure for our winners:
Director of the South Africa Selection by CMB, Lorraine Immelman, noted that “although a humble beginning for this exciting new national competition, we are grateful and happy with the industry’s support and especially with the results! A heartfelt thank you to all the participants who supported this competition and to all our valued sponsors for making it possible!
Rated one of the world’s most sought-after and prestigious global wine and spirits competitions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles focuses on empowering the producer through tasting panels of influential wine buyers and importers, sommeliers and journalists. I am confident that this national competition will continue to grow, and become one of the most valuable and prestigious competitions for both South and southern Africa producers and consumers.”
High praise for South African Cape brandies:
A total of 20 brandies were entered in the competition, resulting in five gold medals, three silvers and one trophy for this class.
Also speaking at the event, Charles Withington of the Cape Brandy Distillers Guild noted that international recognition and exposure are both critical to the growth of Cape/Potstill brandy. “This is not only to penetrate the export market, but essential to gain recognition in an emerging local market, currently fixated on imported spirits.
The credibility and gravitas which the Concours du Mondial du Bruxelles competition provides, is the ideal platform to highlight the provenance and quality of fine Cape brandy, while proclaiming our offering as one of “world class in your glass”.
