Distell 'wins for the country'

Callie van Niekerk, Distell’s group GM: wines has won the International Wine Challenge (IWC) trophy for 2010 White Winemaker of the Year in London, confirming the country’s reputation as a world-class producer of white wines.

Blind tasting

The competition panellists, who taste all entries blind (labels are unidentified) evaluate around 10 000 wines before the trophy winners are finalised.

Commenting on the achievement, Van Niekerk, speaking on behalf of the company's team of winemakers, said: "South Africa continues to surprise and delight wine judges across the world for the excellence of the country's offerings. Distell's performance is a win not only for our company and the brands involved but also for the country. During the present very difficult global economic environment, it comes at an excellent time, with international wine trade and consumers seeking outstanding quality as a competitive differentiator."

South African gold medalists on the 2010 IWC were:

Whites
Fleur Du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2008
Fleur Du Cap Noble Late Harvest 2009
Fleur Du Cap Unfiltered Semillon 2009
Klein Constantia Vin De Constance 2005
Lomond Pincushion Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009 Nederburg Winemasters Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2009 (Western Cape Botrytis Trophy) Oak Valley Chardonnay 2009 (South Africa White Trophy) Stellar Organics Heaven On Earth NV

Reds
Dunstone Shiraz 2008
Vrede en Lust Boet Erasmus 2007 (South Africa Red Trophy)