A record number of 1 210 Sauvignon wines across the globe this year competed for the highly coveted Concours Mondial du Sauvignon medals. Fifty international judges awarded silver and gold medals to wines from 20 countries, announced on Monday 20 March at ProWein in Düsseldorf, Germany.
South Africa ratified its ranking as a major Sauvignon Blanc producer country, winning 56 medals – 26 gold medals (see list below) and 30 silver medals – along with an international trophy. The Villiera Bush Vine 2022 by Villiera Wines was awarded the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy which rewards the best wine matured in oak casks. Darling Cellars’ Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2020 received the Revelation South Africa trophy for the best performing South African wine at the show.
South Africa was well represented with a record number of nearly 13% of entries. France continues to dominate with 40% of wines entered, also winning the International Trophy for the Best Blend of Gascon wine for the Saint-Lannes Sauvignon Chardonnay by Duffour Père & Fils. It is followed by Austria with 225 wines entered (18.6%), with the Dubourdieu Trophy for the top Sauvignon in the competition coming from Steiermark, awarded to Sauvignon Blanc Sieme Eichberg by the Adam-Lieleg winery. Italy and New Zealand complete the top five line-up of participating countries.
This 14th edition of the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, the first outside of Europe, was hosted by Sauvignon Blanc South Africa in Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands, together with the international organisers, the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. In addition to the tastings, the 50 judges from across 4 continents and 19 nationalities, including journalists, winemakers and buyers, discovered the diversity of South Africa’s wine regions through conferences, visits and opportunities for engagement with the local wine industry.
According to RJ Botha, chairman of Sauvignon Blanc SA, the competition was a huge success. "We are extremely proud of all the compliments that continue to pour in for our country, people, and wines," Botha says. "We are confident that this is only the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship with the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon, and it was a pleasure to collaborate with the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles organising team."
“Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone for their support in hosting the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon in South Africa, including our platinum partners, Vinventions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, the National Convention Bureau and WESGRO, our bronze partners Boutes, Tonnellerie Garonnaise, Tonnellerie Sylvain, Enartis, Beveratech, FNB, Porex, Hillebrand GORI, and Anchor Oenology, as well as Wines of South Africa (WoSA) and all other partners.”
Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2023 South African judges: From left René Groenewald, Malu Lambert, Francois Rautenbach, Dr. Winnie Bowman, Cathy Marston, Fiona McDonald, Christian Eedes, Dr. Carien Coetzee, Heidi Duminy en Joseph Dhafana.
View the full results here: resultats.cmsauvignon.com/en/results
Good news for Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts is that in celebration of International Sauvignon Blanc Day in May, Sauvignon Blanc SA will host a Sauvignon Safari with tastings of participating Concours competing wines from around the world. For more information, visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or contact Sauvignon Blanc SA at info@sauvignonblanc.com or 082 808 1114.
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