As Master of Ceremonies, Nicola Jackman, awarded coveted Bacchus Trophies to only sixteen of the wines that entered the Taj Classic Wine Trophy 2015 at the awards reception held on 6 March 2015 in the Taj Cape Town's new five-star banqueting venue, The Reserve.
Some of the 2015 Taj Classic Wine Trophy winners who were awarded the coveted Bacchus Trophy.
Back: Marinda Kruger-van Eck (Boutinot), Georgie Prout (Glen Carlou), Christiaan Van Huyssteen (Saronsberg), Anri Botha (DGB), Emul Ross (Hamilton Russell), Kallie Fernhout (Delaire Graff), Matthew Van Heerden (Weberburg), Julia and Mark Norrish (Secret Cellar), Carl Van der Merwe (De Morgenzon)
Front: Christophe Durand (Taj Wine Classic Trophy Organiser), Boela Gerber (Groot Constantia)
Photo Credit: Nathalie Bardin & Jean Marc Lederman
The ceremony was the culmination of a rigorous judging process that took place between 2-5 March 2015 that sought to recognise, reward and promote elegance, balance, finesse, age-ability and sense of place achieved by Vignerons in South Africa.
Michael Pownall, Taj Cape Town GM says, "Wine is a central part of South Africa's history and culture, with some of the oldest wine farms in the Cape dating back to the 17th century. Taj Cape Town places importance on promoting and preserving this legacy and we are proud to have sponsored the Taj Classic Wine Trophy for the past four years. Exposing our local winemakers to the rigorous international judging standards of these awards benchmarks South African wine against some of the world's best."
International judges
The panel of international judges comprised:
- Christophe Durand, Taj Classic Wine Trophy organiser and proprietor of Dorrance Wines
- Claude Gilois, well-known French wine writer, consultant and wine blogger
- Germain Lehodey, sommelier of Mosaic restaurant
- Jerome Faure, corporate sommelier Constance Hotels and Resorts, Mauritius
- Olivier Poels, editor and managing partner of La Revue du VIN de France and wine commentator for Europe 1 radio
- Olivier Poussier, best sommelier in the world winner, wine consultant, writer and group sommelier of Lenôtre
- Stephane Duvernes, proprietor of wine distributor Les Chais St Laurent, Paris
- Tatiana Marcetteau, sommelier at Taj Cape Town
- Thierry Germain proprietor of Domaine des Roches Neuves, Saumur
- Todd Ramsey from Marram wine Importers, Canada
- Xavier Didier, former sommelier at Tantris, Munich
International winners
Bacchus Trophy winners will be listed in La Revue du Vin de France 2015 and promoted at Salon de La Revue du Vin de France in Paris in May 2015. The winners are:
Bubbly and White Wine
- Boutinot Mon Vieux Sauvignon Blanc 2014
- De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
- Delaire Graff White Blend 2012
- Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2014
- Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 201
- Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV
Red Wine
- Bellingham The Bernard Series Basket Press Syrah 2013
- Boschkloof Epilogue Shiraz 2012
- Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage 2012
- Groot Constantia Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
- Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
- Groot Constantia Pinotage 2013
- Morgenster 2001
- Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
- Sumaridge Pinot Noir 2012
- Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Petit Verdot 2011
The prize for the Most Iconic Entry of 2015 was awarded to Groot Constantia and winemaker Boela Gerber walked away with a pair of new barriques, sponsored by coopers Tonnellerie Claude Gillet and Tonnellerie Darnajou.
Local panel selects local winners
In addition, a local judging panel decided which of the trophy winners presented the best overall value to patrons of the Taj Cape Town and readers of GQ South Africa. Convened by wine judge Jonathan Steyn, this panel consisted of:
- Christian Eedes - Editor of www.winemag.co.za and prominent wine judge
- Craig Tyson - Editor of GQ magazine South Africa
- Jeanri-Tine van Zyl - columnist for www.winemag.co.za
- Khuselo Mputa - Sommelier at Grande Provence
- Michael Pownall - Group GM of Taj Cape Town
- Tatiana Marcetteau - Sommelier at Taj Cape Town
Local winners
- De Morgenzon Reserve Chenin Blanc 2014
- Groot Constantia Merlot 2013
- Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay 2014
- Saronsberg Full Circle 2012
- Secret Cellar Blanc de Blanc MCC NV
- Webersburg Cabernet Sauvignon/ Merlot/ Petit Verdot 2011
The awarded wines were presented with certificates of recognition and will be showcased in GQ South Africa and served in the Taj Cape Town during the month of June.
