Record entries received for the 18th Michelangelo Awards

“It’s been an absolutely magnificent year for Michelangelo,” says Lorraine Immelman, founder and owner of the Michelangelo International Wine & Spirits Awards. Not only have we had an all-time record number of entries – 1730 in total from 322 producers – but 2014 has also been a year of “firsts”!

Collotype Labels has come on board as premier sponsor of the awards, ensuring that the competition will continue and grow. A new, more elegant logo and user-friendly website was launched this week and an exciting Michelangelo Wine Club, run and managed by IQ Business, has been established in Johannesburg.

Now in it’s 18^th year, the Michelangelo announced South Africa’s first Liqueur Awards in June, offering producers of liqueur and fruit spirits a first-ever platform to have their products judged by an international panel of specialist judges.

The Michelangelo is the only wine competition in South Africa with an exclusive international panel of accredited wine judges, international wine makers, wine masters and international sommeliers. This year again 18 wine and spirits specialists from 15 countries judged the entries for a week in August.

In total the judges awarded 607 medals, which represent just over a third of entries (as per the international OIV rules to which the Michelangelo ascribes). Awards comprised:

• 16 trophies
• 3 platinum medals
• 90 Gran d’Or medals
• 222 gold medals
• 292 silver medals

This included the inaugural Liqueur Trophy as well as three Grans d’Or, five gold and seven silver medals for liqueurs.

Offering guidelines for international markets:

“This year’s 22% increase in entries is an indication of the wine industry’s dramatic move to international markets over the past decade. As the world becomes smaller and the South African market becomes more and more saturated, producers are investigating more exports or their products. Michelangelo offers them the opportunity to gauge the international market and find those products which will appeal to international palates. The awards made by our international panel of judges offers these guidelines,” says Lorraine.

Classes’ detail:

• The Sauvignon Blanc class again received the most entries among the white varietals, increasing to 178 from the previous record number already received in 2013. This class was awarded one platinum, nine Grans d’Or, 18 gold and 35 silver medals. The judges commented that the overall quality of the Sauvignon Blancs were impressive, and that the concentration of fruit and excellent fruit balance made for some exceptional wines.

• The Chardonnay class also received a significant number of entries, namely 133. These wines were well received by the international panel, who commented that they exhibited good wine making skills. Where wines were exposed to oak, it was used wisely and few examples were over-oaked. The judges found that the 2014 entries lacked balance and persistence, which was partly due to the lack of acid. Four Gran d’Ors, fifteen gold and 21 silver medals were awarded in this class.

• A record number of 65 entries was received for the Method Cap Classique classes. Four Grans d’Or, eight gold and nine silver medals were awarded. The judges considered the MCC’s to be impressive and commented that the Cape is a top quality MCC producer and that producers should market this more effectively. The highest scoring wines in this class included Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir in the blend.

• The Shiraz class had the overall most entries with 207 wines. Two Grans d’Or, 33 gold and 30 silver medals were awarded. The judges stated that the entries represented many great examples of South African Shiraz and that entries showed a variety of styles ranging from big, fruity wines to more elegant ones.

• The Pinotage class received good comments from the judges. Generally they were impressed with the wines entered and noted a number of different styles. They commented that a few years in the bottle makes all the difference to the overall quality and accessibility of the wines. The 2011 vintage was the most impressive with wines from this vintage year being well-integrated and showing good balance. Eight gran d’or, 23 gold and 13 silver medals were awarded.

• The class for Port-style wines is a small category but this class had excellent samples. Most of these showed good spirit integration and were well-balanced while the better wines had super fruit concentration, freshness and complexity. In this class respectively two gran d’or, gold and silver medals were awarded.

According to the competition rules no bronze medals are awarded and only the top third of entrants are awarded a medal.

The trophy winners:

Kleine Zalze walked away with two trophies this year:

1. the coveted Collotype Labels Grand Prix Trophy for the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc 2013 awarded by the judges as their collective best entry and
2. the African Cellar Supplies MCC Trophy for the Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut 2009.

The first Liqueur Trophy was awarded to Wild Africa Cream Liqueur from KWV, who also received the Best Brandy Trophy for the Imoya VSOP Fine Cape Alambic Brandy. 

The 16 trophy winners:

Collotype Grand Prix Trophy	Kleine Zalze	Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc, 2013
Grotto Top Producer Trophy	Saronsberg
IQ Business Most Innovative Trophy	Diemersdal Wine Estate	Diemersdal Grüner Veltliner, 2013
African Cellar Supplies MCC Trophy	Kleine Zalze	Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut, 2009
RX South Africa Organic Trophy	Waverley Hills	Waverley Hills Shiraz/Mourverde/Voignier, 2010
Best Fairtrade Red	Van Loveren Family Cellar	Five’s Reserve Pinotage, 2013
Best Fairtrade White	Citrusdal Wines	Chardonnay, 2014
Garagiste Trophy	Hofstraat Kelder	Cape Vintage, 2009
AfriRack Best Dessert Wine Trophy	Badsberg Wine Cellar	Badsberg Noble Late Harvest, 2009
Sue van Wyk Pinotage Trophy	Beyerskloof	Beyerskloof Diesl Pinotage, 2009
TM Mercurey Best Bordeaux Style Red Blend	Zorgvliet Wines	Silver Myn Argentum, 2012
Toneleria Nacional Coffee Pinotage Trophy	Diemersfontein	Diemersfontein Pinotage, 2013
Golden Oldie Trophy	Boland Kelder	Boland Kelder Rooi Muskadel, 1997
Brandy Trophy	KWV SA	Imoya Potstill Brandy
Best International Entry	Concha y Toro	Casillero del Diablo Carmenere, 2013
Best Liqueur Trophy	KWV SA	Wild Africa Cream Liqueur

Medal winners:

All entries were judged blind using the 100-point OIV judging system. The judging process and all results were audited by DDI Financial Solutions.

The following wines were awarded platinum medals:

Producer	Product	Vintage
Badsberg Wine Cellar	Badsberg Noble Late Harvest	2009
Louisvale Wines	Stone Road Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Waverley Hills Organic Wine Farm	Waverley Hills Shiraz/Mourverde/Viognier	2010

The following wines were awarded Grand D’Or medals:

Producer	Product	Vintage
Aan De Doorns Wynkelder	Aan De Doorns Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Alleé Bleue Wines	Alleé Bleue Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot	2012
Alvi’s Drift Wines	Alvi’s Drift Signature Viognier	2014
Alvi’s Drift Wines	Alvi’s Drift Thornlands MCC	NV
Babylon’s Peak	Babylon’s Peak SMG	2010
Babylonstoren	Babylonstoren Viognier	2013
Baleia Bay Wines	Chardonnay	2013
Bergsig Estate	Bergsig Weisser Riesling	2013
Beyerskloof	Beyerskloof Diesel Pinotage	2009
Boland Kelder	Boland Cellar Reserve No 1	2013
Boland Kelder	Boland Cellar Reserve No1	2011
Boplaas Family Vineyards	Boplaas Bobbejaanberg Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Boplaas Family Vineyards	Boplaas Heritage Muscadel	2011
Boplaas Family Vineyards	Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve	2010
Boschendal Wines	Boschendal Reserve Collection Grande Reserve	2012
Boschkloof	Boschkloof Syrah	2012
Brandvlei Kelder	BC Wines Shiraz	2012
Citrusdal Wines	Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon	2013
Claime d’or Wines	Claime d’or Shiraz	2011
Concha y Toro	Casillero del Diablo Carmenere (Country of Origin: Chile)	2013
Constantia Uitsig Farm	Constantia Uitsig Semillon	2013
D’Aria Winery	D’Aria Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot	2012
De Wetshof Estate	De Wetshof Bateleur Chardonnay	2012
Demorgenzon	Demorgenzon Chenin Blanc Reserve	2013
Diemersdal Wine Estate	Diemersdal Chardonnay reserve	2013
Diemersdal Wine Estate	Diemersdal MM Louw Estate Red	2012
Diemersdal Wine Estate	Diemersdal Private Collection	2012
Du Plessis Family Wines	Virgin Earth Lost Barrel Shiraz	2007
Dunstone Wines	Dunstone Shiraz	2012
Durbanville Hills	Durbanville Hills Chardonnay	2013
Earthbound	Earthbound Chenin Blanc	2014
Elgin Vintners	Elgin Vintners The Century	2012
Ernie Els Wines	Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Excelsior Estate	Excelsior Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Flagstone Winery	Flagstone Dark Horse Shiraz	2010
Flagstone Winery	Flagstone Dragon Tree	2012
Gabba International cc	Codorniu Vina Pomal Crianza (Country of Origin: Spain)	2011
Glen Carlou Vineyards	Glen Carlou Gravel Quarry	2009
Groenland	Groenland Shiraz Premium	2010
Groenland	Antoinette Marie Classic	2010
Hidden Valley Wines	Hidden Valley Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Hofstraat Kelder	Renosterbos Cape Vintage	2009
Hornbill Garagiste Winery	Hornbill Pinotage	2011
Jason’s Hill Private Cellar	Jason’s Hill Classic Red	2012
Klein Gustrouw	Klein Gustrouw Reserve	2011
Kleine Zalze	Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Chenin Blanc	2013
Kleine Zalze	Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	2009
Kleine Zalze	Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut	2009
KWV	KWV The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon	2012
KWV SA	Imoya Brandy	NA
Lanzerac Wines	Lanzerac Pionier Pinotage	2011
Lemberg Wine Estate	Spencer	2012
Lourensford Wine Estate	Winemaker’s Selection Viognier	2013
Lourensford Wine Estate	Winemaker’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot	2011
MAN Vintners	Tormentoso Reserve	2012
Merwida Vineyards	Merwida Barbera	2012
Mont Du Toit	Les Coteaux Cabernet Franc	2012
Mooiplaas	Chenin Blanc Bush Vines	2013
Namaqua Wines	Namaqua Noble Late Harvest	2013
Newstead Lund Family Vineyards	Methode Cap Classique Brut	2012
Nitida Cellars	Nitida Riesling	2014
Nuy Winery	Nuy 50 Vintages Red Muscadel	NV
Ormonde Vineyards	Ormonde Vernon Basson	2008
Perdeberg Winery	The Dry Land Collection Chardonnay/Viognier	2013
Perdeberg Winery	Perdeberg Reserve Pinot Noir MCC	2012
Pulpit Rock Winery	Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon	2012
Rhebokskloof Estate	Pearlstone Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz	2012
Rijk’s Cellars	Rijk’s Private Cellar Pinotage	2010
Robertson Winery	No.1 Constitution Road Shiraz	2010
Rooiberg Winery	Rooiberg Winery Red Muscadel	2012
Saronsberg Cellar	Saronsberg Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Saronsberg Cellar	Saronsberg Grenache	2011
Shannon Vineyards & Wines	Shannon Mount Bullet	2010
Simonsvlei International	Simonsvlei Pinotage	2013
Simonsvlei International	Simonsvlei Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Spar Group	Olive Brook Le Geminis	2010
Spier Wines	Woolworths The Hutton Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon	2012
Stellenrust Wine Estate	Stellenrust Pinotage	2013
Swartland Winery	Bush Vine Cabernet Sauvignon	2010
Ultra Liquors	Secret Cellar Sauvignon Blanc	2013
Welgemeend Estate	Welgemeend Estate Chenin Blanc	2013
Windfall Wine Farm	Windfall Shiraz	2012
Windmeul Koöp Wynkelder	Windmeul Kelder Sauvignon Blanc	2014
Winery Baloun	Baloun Cuvee 22 (Country of Origin: Czech Republic)	2013
Winters Drift	Winters Drift Pinot Noir	2013
Wonderfontein	Wonderfontein Red Muscadel	2011
Zorgvliet Wines	Silver Myn Argentum	2012

The 2014 judging panel

This year the judging panel consisted of 18 judges from fifteen different countries. The 2014 judges were:

1. Sue van Wyk CWM, Australia (Technical director)
2. Ingrid Adamiker, Austria
3. Chris Alblas, Netherlands
4. Jochen Erler, Austria (Liqueur specialist)
5. Rubén García Franco, Spain
6. Adrian Garforth MW, UK
7. Denis Garret, France
8. Robert Gorjak, Slovenia
9. Cho Jung Yong, Korea
10. Mariusz Kapczynski , Poland
11. Martin Kristek, Czech Republic
12. Georgi Mihov, Bulgaria
13. Dermot Nolan MW, Ireland
14. Liz Palmer, Canada (Champagne specialist)
15. Javier Pulido, Spain
16. Christine Rudman, CWM, SA
17. Thierry Sabon, France
18. Rene van Hoven, Netherlands

The brandy and spirits judges:

1. Sue van Wyk CWM, Australia
2. Kobus Gelderblom, South Africa
3. Javier Pulido, Spain
4. Caroline Snyman, South Africa
5. Rene van Hoven, Netherlands
6. All results are available from the website: www.michelangeloawards.com.