Sweet success for 475 medal winners at the 2011 Michelangelo CCL Label International Wine Awards

The results of the 15th annual Michelangelo CCL Label International Wine Awards (MIWA) were announced at a gala luncheon at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West on September 9, 2011. 

This year 226 producers entered a record total of 1 385 wines. A total of 475 wines received medals from the 15 international judges, of which 35 were Grand D'Or, 179 gold and 261 silver.

In accordance with the rules of the Michelangelo International Wine Awards only 30% of entries may be awarded a medal which adds to the prestige of a wine bearing a Michelangelo medal. In the event of several wines attaining the same score at the cut off for specific medals, all wines with that score are awarded a medal which may lead to the 30% being exceeded.

As was the case in 2009 and 2010, the red wine category attracted the most entries were Shiraz, with a total number of 169 wines entered. The judges commented that the Shiraz examples of 2009 were well-integrated and had good varietal character, while the wines of 2007 expressed quality in fruit and balance.

The red class with the second highest number of entries was Cabernet Sauvignon with 143 entries. The judges commented that the 2010 wines were singled out as showing the most promise.  Wines from the  2009 vintage were forthcoming, fruity and well-balanced whereas those of 2008 appeared to lack phenolic maturity and therefore they were often thin and green ?there were however many exceptions.

Red Blends were the third most popular class with 116 entries followed by Pinotage with 100 entries.

Among the white wine entries a record number of 169 Sauvignon Blanc wines were tasted, followed by Chardonnay with 97 entries and Chenin Blanc with 65 entries.

The Sauvignon Blanc class garnered 5 double gold, 22 gold and 33 silver medals. The judges commented that a comparison to the Sauvignons of New Zealand was inevitable and the panel concurred that the Sauvignon Blancs tasted in this year's competition are less expressive than those of New Zealand,  but more natural and have better typicity.

According to Sue van Wyk, technical director of the competition, the Muscat classes were really impressive and the quality of these wines came as a surprise to the judges. They described them as being "beautiful wines". They appreciated the fact that these wines are not imitations of European styled wines, but have their own unique style - rich, but not flabby, and well-balanced overall. The judges appreciated the uniqueness of these wines and numerous medals were awarded to fortified wines.

The following wines were awarded Grand D'Or medals:

In addition, twelve trophies were awarded. The trophy winners are:

The CCL Label Grand Prix Trophy:
Journey's End Chardonnay 2010
This trophy is awarded for the wine with the highest score in the competition. 

The Grotto 2010 Top Producer Trophy:
Journey's End

The RX South Africa Most Innovative Wine on Show Trophy: 
Blaauwklippen Before & After.
This is the third consecutive year that Blaauwklippen is awarded this trophy.

The Organic Trophy: 
Laibach Woolworths Merlot 2010

Good Taste Garagiste Trophy: 
Dispore Kamma Syrah 2008

The Sue van Wyk Pinotage Trophy: 
Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2010

Tonelería Magrenan Brandy Trophy: 
Van Ryn's 20 Year Collector's Reserve

Golden Oldie Trophy:
Rietvallei Muscadel 1980

Dessert Wine Trophy:
KWV Likeurwyn 1937

Best International Entry 2011:
Viña Concha y Toro SA Marques de Casa Concha Merlot 2009.
This is the first of three new trophies introduced this year.

Best Fairtrade Red Wine Trophy 2011:
Stellenrust Timeless Red Blend 2008
This is the first year the two Fairtrade trophies are awarded

Best Fairtrade White Wine Trophy 2011:
Bosman Family Vineyards Sur Lie Chenin Blanc  2011.

The 2011 judging panel were

1. Christine Rudman CWM – South Africa
2. Dermot Nolan MW – Ireland
3. Dominique Ricci – Luxembourg
4. Florence Variance – France
5. Elie Mamaari – Lebanon
6. Sue van Wyk CWM – Australia (Chief Judge)
7. Marin Berovic - Slovenia
8. Gerard de Vos - Belgium
9. Nellie Salvi – France
10. John Salvi MW - France
11. Sagi Cooper – Israel
12. Constantine Stergides – Greece
13. Fabricio Portelli - Argentina
14. Giorgio Colli – Italy
15. Guiseppe Rizzardi – Italy

The brandy panel judges included

1. Gerard de Vos - Belgium
2. Giorgio Colli – Italy
3. Sagi Cooper – Israel
4. Caroline Snyman (president of the brandy judging panel)
5. Mary-Lou Nash ? South Africa