SA awarded best Chardonnay at 2008 Tri-Nations Wine Challenge

Kevin Grant of Ataraxia.

Australia achieved best overall score and won the Best red, Best White and Best Wine on Show Trophies. However, given the Australia's reputation as a Shiraz producer, New Zealand's continued success in this category - it took the top three places - provided its antipodean neighbour with some serious competition.

Ataraxia's Kevin Grant brought the Chardonnay Trophy home to South Africa when the Ataraxia 2007 (recently accorded a Platter Five Star Award) was declared the Chardonnay class winner, nudging the much-vaunted Leeuwin Estate (whose Art Series Chardonnay is widely held to be the best Southern Hemisphere example) into second place. South Africa also achieved nine “Highly Commended” Gold Medals, including three in the dessert wine class, a category which Cape wine producers have dominated since the inception of the competition in 2003.

The following Cape wines are listed as Highly Commended:

Class Two (Chardonnay)

• Ataraxia Chardonnay 2007 (Class Winner)
  
• Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2006

Class Five (Other White Varieties)

• De Morgenzon Chenin Blanc 2007

Class Six (Pinot Noir)

• Hamilton Russell Vineyards 2007

Class Ten (Bordeaux Blends)

• Tokara 2005

Class Eleven (Other Red Blends)

• Beyerskloof Synergy Reserve 2005

Class Thirteen (Dessert Wines)

• Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2007
  
• Ken Forrester Wines “T” 2006
  
• Nederburg Auction Bin S316 2004

The judging - by a four-man panel chaired by Robert Joseph with representatives from each of the three countries (James Halliday Australia, Bob Campbell MW New Zealand and Michael Fridjhon South Africa) - took place in Sydney from 16 - 17 September.

For the full results, visit: www.trinationswine.com