Trusted Cap Classique pioneer claims top award in Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge 2011

Today it was announced that Stellenbosch producer Simonsig had, again, succeeded in producing the top Cap Classique in the annual Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge - the third time this winery has taken top honours since the competition’s inception in 2002. Wines from Simonsig were also judged overall winners in the inaugural challenge in 2002 and again in 2009 respectively. This year it is Simonsig’s flagship Cuvée Royale 2005 which claims the Best Overall award.

 

The competition, which seeks to identify South Africa’s best examples of Methode Cap Classique (MCC) wines, rewards top-performing wines in four categories, namely Non-Vintage, Vintage, Blanc de Blancs and Rosé.

Held for the tenth consecutive year, guests attending the Amorim Cork Cap Classique awards function at the Grande Roche Hotel in Paarl consisted of a handful of established producers but also attracted a host of up-and-coming Cap Classique producers – a mixture of wineries indicative of the growth in diversity and quality the competition has inspired over the past decade. This year the competition attracted a total of 77 entries – the highest amount in the history of the challenge.

Joaquim Sa, managing director for Amorim Cork South Africa, said: “It is incredible to notice the growth of local MCC, Amorim is immensely proud to be associated with the critical and commercial acclaim these wines are garnering internationally, but also excited to have our closures associated with one of the fastest growing segments of the South African wine market.”

As has been the procedure the past decade, wines in the competition were judged blind by a panel of five experts. This year the panel consisted of Cape Wine Masters Heidi Duminy and Ginette De Fleuriot, top sommeliers Miguel Chan and James Pietersen and Allan Mullins, of Woolworths, who chaired the panel.

In another unwitting throw back to the inaugural challenge, Simonsig was nearly outdone by Boschendal, with wines from both wineries ranking tops at 4 ½ Stars.

However, after what Mullins calls an “animated and knowledgeable discussion” Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2005 was judged a fraction better on the arithmetic average and was named the overall winner. The Cuvée Royale 2005 also won the award for the best Blanc de Blanc. Boschendal Grande Cuveé 2007 was judged Best Vintage. Pongrácz Brut NV received 4 Stars and was awarded Best Non-Vintage and Graham Beck Rosé NV was named Best Rosé.

Says Mullins: “Although the panel agreed that the wines entered for this year’s Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge were generally of a higher standard – also those from new producers - the better examples were still from more experienced producers, the winning wine being a case in point.”

While this was the last awards ceremony where Wine magazine will act as official media partner, Amorim, recognizing the passion, skill and dedication of grape-growers and the success of their product, has announced that the Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge will continue to exist in the future.

“As a media partner, Wine magazine has been – along with the MCC Association - an integral part of this competition’s longevity, popularity and contribution to growing the national interest in the MCC category. Despite the unfortunate demise of our media partner, the competition will continue to exist,” said Sa.