In just two weeks’ time, the Western Cape will play host to the world’s biggest international wine competition dedicated to Sauvignon Blanc.
For the first time in it’s 14-year history, the Concours Mondial Du Sauvignon will be held in Franschoek. It takes place from the 13th to the 18th of March.
More than 1 000 Sauvignon Blanc wines, from all over the globe, will compete for the attention of 50 judges. 40 of them are international and 10 are local wine experts.
RJ Botha who is Sauvignon Blanc SA’s chairman, says he’s spent the last 4 years campaigning for the competition to be held in Mzansi. Botha is also the cellarmaster at Kleine Zalze Wine Estate.
“It’s a dream come true. 4 years ago, it was merely an idea. We started working with Concours and started exploring the idea, and they were very willing to move the competition outside of Europe for the first time. It’s the first time it will be held a new world wine-making country.”
Furthermore, Botha says hosting the competition on South African soil, will be major boost to the local economy. This considering the wine industry is still clawing its way back from the impact of the covid-19 pandemic:
“Doing the competition is to boost our economy, to boost wine sales and boost tourism. Our judges consist of 40 international judges that we are flying in. They will leave here being ambassadors of South Africa. They will go home and they will write about us. They’ll tell people about us, do articles and buy more South African wine.”
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The results will be announced on Monday 20 March 2023 in Düsseldorf, Germany, at Prowein. It’s the only international trade fair that covers the complete global market.
The judging panel
Renowned SA judges joining the panel are Cape Wine Masters Dr Winnie Bowman and René Groenewald, as well as Heidi Duminy, Francois Rautenbach, Dr Carien Coetzee, Cathy Marston, Christian Eedes, Fiona McDonald, Joseph Dhafana, and Malu Lambert. During this competition, South Africa’s exciting Sauvignon Blanc regions will also be showcased through daily excursions to Durbanville, Constantia and Stellenbosch, and with special dinners hosted by Diemersdal, Groot Constantia, and Vergelegen.
