Record entries for Amorim MCC competition

The record number of entries received for this year’s Amorim MCC Competition reaffirmed the world’s largest supplier of natural cork products to continue its role as headline sponsor of this competition. Despite the decision by Ramsay Media to cease publication of Wine Magazine, which has been joint sponsor of the MCC Competition since 2002, Amorim will continue to sponsor this competition aimed at promoting the quality and variety of South Africa’s MCC category.

“Our relationship with Wine Magazine has undoubtedly contributed to the growing success of and interest in a competition committed to espousing the tremendous vision and skill of the country’s Méthode Cap Classique producers,” says Joaquim Sa, MD of Amorim SA. “The success of this collaboration was underscored by the 77 entries this year’s competition received, the largest field in its 10-year-old history.”

The results of the 10th Amorim MCC Competition will be announced on 18 August and published in the September and final issue of Wine.

“We will then, in conjunction with the MCC Association with whom this competition has a close association, begin planning next year’s judging, event and a possible partnership,” says Sa.

Allan Mullins, Cape Wine Master, chaired this year’s MCC Competition judging panel and said that the event had contributed to the growth in interest in MCC among producers as well as the public.

“Having judged on nine of the 10 competitions, the improvement in quality and winemaking skill has become evident year after year,” says Mullins. “Each year judges are contending with new styles, greater variety and seeing the results of some interesting and visionary winemaking. I am just very glad to see that this commitment in the vineyards and the cellars is complemented by consumer support for our great MCC wines. To see the category growing in sales is an added bonus for us who love this wine and are committed to seeing it take its rightful place among the great wines produced in the Cape.”