South Africa has proven its excellence in wine production by winning five trophies and 46 medals at the prestigious Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023. The competition, which is held annually in London, is one of the most influential, impartial, and rigorously judged global wine events. It attracts entries from over 50 countries and awards medals and trophies to the best wines in the world.
Paul Clüver Wines leads the way with three trophies
The star of the show was Paul Clüver Wines, an Elgin-based producer that took home the International Chardonnay Trophy, the South African White Trophy, and the Sustainable Trophy for its Seven Flags Chardonnay 2021. This wine was made from the first commercial Chardonnay vines planted in Elgin in 1987, and showcases the terroir and the quality of the region. The wine was praised by the judges for its elegance, complexity, and balance.
Paul Clüver Wines also won medals for six other wines, demonstrating its consistency and diversity. Paul Clüver Jnr, the managing director of Paul Clüver Family Wines, said that the trophies were a highlight for the family and the team, and a tribute to his father, Dr Paul Clüver, who had the vision and foresight to plant the first vineyards in Elgin. Andries Burger, the cellarmaster at Paul Clüver Family Wines, said that the trophies were a result of the vision they had when they released the first Seven Flags Chardonnay in 2014, to express the optimal potential of their terroir.
Other South African wines impress with gold medals
Paul Clüver Wines was not the only South African producer to shine at the Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023. A total of 18 gold medals were awarded to South African wines, with Chardonnay being the most successful variety with five golds. The judges were impressed by the diverse styles and the site-specific expressions of the South African Chardonnays, and said that they could rival the winemaking heavyweights of France, New Zealand, and Australia.
Other white varieties that performed well were Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Chenin Blanc. The highest-scoring white wine was a Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend from Bloemendal Wine Estate, which scored 96 points and a gold medal. The judges were surprised by the freshness of the 2017 vintage, and the savoury, sweet, and spicy finish. Two Chenin Blancs also won gold medals, one from Perdeberg Wines and one from Koelenhof Wynkelder, showing the versatility and the character of this grape.
On the red side, Pinotage, South Africa’s indigenous grape, was the standout variety, with one gold medal and several silver and bronze medals. The gold medal went to Neethlingshof Estate for its The Owl Post Pinotage 2021, which was described as elegant and self-assured, with earthy and wild raspberry notes. The judges also noted the different winemaking techniques and the improvement in quality of the Pinotage wines over the last five years. Another red variety that impressed was Pinot Noir, with a gold medal for La Vierge Wines for its Apogée Pinot Noir 2021, which had great fruit concentration and varietal definition.
South Africa celebrates its achievements and looks ahead
The Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023 was a great opportunity for South Africa to showcase its wines to the world, and to demonstrate its diversity, quality, and innovation. The competition also highlighted the sustainability and the environmental awareness of the South African wine industry, as many of the winning wines were certified as organic, biodynamic, or fair trade.
The South African wine industry has faced many challenges in recent years, such as drought, fire, Covid-19, and alcohol bans. However, the results of the Global Fine Wine Challenge 2023 show that the industry has resilience, passion, and talent, and that it can produce world-class wines that can compete with the best. The industry is optimistic about the future, and hopes to continue to grow its reputation and its markets, both locally and internationally.
