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www.thevillagenews.co.za
23 October 2019
Local winery takes highest accolade at Veritas Awards T
he 2015 Domaine des Dieux Hemel-enAarde Chardonnay has proven itself once again to be one of South Africa’s top Chardonnays when it received not only a Double Gold Award but also the Veritas Vertex Award at this year’s Veritas Gala Dinner, held at the Cape Town ICC on Friday 11 October.
of a superb wine and the 2015 Chardonnay follows a lineage of great vintages, with the 2014 receiving a record high 96 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards last year and the 2013 being rated in the Top 20 SA Chardonnays by Decanter.” Domaine des Dieux’s journey started when the farm was bought in 2002 by Megan’s mother, Sharon Parnell and her partner, two wine lovers with a dream of becoming the first producer of MCC in the Hemel-en-Aarde region. In 2006, after four years of patient waiting, the vines were ready and their maiden Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut MCC was released to the public in 2010, after three and a half years on the lees and a year on cork. This was followed by their Rose of Sharon Brut Rose MCC in 2007, which was released to the public in 2011. Both have won multiple awards on the national and international stage.
The Veritas Vertex Award derives its name from the Latin word vertex, which means “highest point”, an apt description for the Veritas Awards’ objective of crowning the best wine at the peak of all the medals awarded – an award given to the overall Champion wine. The Veritas Awards, South Africa’s premier wine and brandy competition, attracted a record number of 1 491 contenders this year, with 100 of those being in the Chardonnay category. An authoritative jury, comprising five international and 95 local specialists, scrutinised candidates for Veritas fame during a marathon five-day blind tasting session. In total, 1 trophy, 76 Double Gold, 198 Gold, 219 Silver Outstanding, 596 Silver and 322 Bronze were awarded.
Other wines added to their range over time include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and a Syrah/Mourvedre blend. All these wines are produced with the same fundamentals as the great French and European wines and are cellar aged in order for them to reach their full potential.
“With the decision being made to enter only one Domaine des Dieux wine into the 2019 Veritas Awards, it is a great honour for this to be the chosen wine of the competition,” said Megan Parnell, general manager of Domaine des Dieux. “Consistency is always the best indicator
“The grapes for the final blend of the 2015 Chardonnay come from two vineyard blocks in
Megan Parnell of Domaine des Dieux (second from left) and her husband, Shane Mullis (far right) were delighted to receive a Double Gold Award and the Veritas Vertex Award for the 2015 Domaine des Dieux Chardonnay at the Veritas Gala Dinner earlier this month. the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge that yield Chardonnay brimming with potential from the moment the grapes start to ripen. A great combination of site, soils and weather on the belly of the Babylonstoren mountain slopes allow us to ripen the grapes perfectly, retaining wonderful acidities and a gamut of flavours,” said Megan. “We are once again incredibly proud of this wine and credit for this accomplishment must be shared with the whole Domaine des Dieux team, our wine consultant Kevin Grant, our
agents, importers, stockists and loyal supporters. We truly thank you, as it would not have been possible without you.” Domaine des Dieux can be contacted on 028 313 2126 or info@domainedesdieux.co.za. Their delightful tasting venue is open to the public and can be visited seven days a week from 11:00. Follow the R320 Hemel-en-Aarde Road towards Caledon and you’ll find the turn-off just after the entrance to their neighbours, Creation Wines.
Hermanus
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