25 July 2006
South Africa is the top trophy winner so far at the 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC), with SA entries in the blended red wine, botrytis wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage categories being judged the best in the world.
The first results of this year's competition were announced last Thursday at the IWSC's headquarters in Surrey, England - where the premises include temperature-controlled cellars, a fully equipped independent laboratory for technical analysis, and two dedicated tasting rooms.
In total, South Africa won 14 best-in-class gold medals and a further five golds to give the country 19 golds in total - compared to Australia's twenty-three, Chile's nine and Spain's six.
The prestigious competition, arguably the most important international showcase of its kind, restricts the number of winners each year to one gold, one silver and one bronze in each tasting category. Trophies are then awarded to the very best of the year's entries.
"It's always exciting to watch the winners being selected on trophy judging days," competition director Frances Horder said in a statement. "Having completed the earlier heats, top winning products are re-assessed (blind), competing from across the globe for 38 product trophies."
The 2006 event drew almost 6 000 entries from 73 countries, making up virtually every wine-producing country in the world. The rest of the trophies and awards will be revealed at the competition's awards banquet at Old Billingsgate, London on 31 October.
SA's trophy winners:
SA's other best-in-class gold medallists:
SA's other gold medallists:
SouthAfrica.info reporter and Wines of South Africa
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