SA wines triumph in IWSC Southern Hemisphere results

Australia exceeded its 2011 media count at this year's competition, winning 714 medals, including 61 gold outstanding and gold medals. The country also won three product trophies for Semillon, Fortified Wine (Worldwide) and The London International Wine Fair Trophy for Single Vineyard Red Wine.

South Africa continued its success from 2011, scooping 642 medals this year, comprising 14 gold outstanding, 30 gold, 132 silver outstanding, 325 silver and 141 bronze medals. Five product trophies were awarded to South African producers including The Denbies Trophy for Bottle Fermented Sparkling Wine, The Wine Extra Trophy for Chenin Blanc, The Abraham Perold Trophy for Pinotage, the Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz trophy. Once again, the IWSC held a successful judging competition for South African entries locally in Paarl.

Sparkling favourite

Desiderius Pongrácz 2003, the signature Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique, wowed international judges, bringing home the Denbies Trophy for the best bottle fermented sparkling wine. This follows just a week after the Pongrácz prestige cuvée won a Double Gold medal at the 2012 Veritas Awards. It is available at selected boutique wine stores at around R235.

Fleur de Cap hauls in medals

Fleur du Cap won the gold outstanding awarded for its Noble Late Harvest 2011, two silver outstanding medals for its Unfiltered Semillon 2011 and the Unfiltered Sauvignon Blanc Chardonnay Semillon Viognier blend and silver medals to a further eight of its wines.

For full results, go to www.iwsc.net/search2012/wine.