Brands on a winning streak

LIQUOR NEWS

BRANDS ON A WINNING STREAK See who is celebrating a bumper awards season BUNNAHABHAIN WINS THREE DOUBLE GOLDS AT SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION

Specialty Scotch single malt producer Bunnahabhain has won three double gold medals at the prestigious 2018 San Francisco World Spirits Competition in the United States. The double golds were awarded to the Islay distillery’s 12- and 25-year-old single malts. Known for its un-chill filtered single malts that offer a richness of colour, aroma and flavour, the distillery is one of the only Islay producers to make use of a natural spring water source and unpeated barley in the production of most of its single malts, imparting a very gentle profile to the range. Bunnahabhain, founded in 1881, is pronounced Bŭ-na-ha-venn and means "mouth of the river" in Scots Gaelic, referring to the Margadale River that flows close by.

GRANDE PROVENCE CHENIN BLANC STRIKES GOLD AT OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW

Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate has struck gold with the maiden vintage of its new single varietal Chenin Blanc at the 2018 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. Crafted in a vibrant, fruit-driven style from Helderberg and Franschhoek fruit, the Grande Provence Chenin Blanc 2017 is elegant and dry with flavours of stone fruit and hints of tropical notes. This wine captures the classic characteristics and purity of Chenin Blanc in a manner that is accessible, yet complex. In addition to the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show gold medal, the Grande Provence Chenin Blanc has been selected for British Airways First Class lounges at South African airports.

CONSTANTIA GLEN TWO 2017 TRIUMPHS AT INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE

The Constantia Glen flagship white blend has taken centre stage with the 2017 vintage bringing home a gold medal from the 2018 International Wine Challenge (IWC) held in London.

Full of praise for the Constantia Glen 2017 TWO, the judges described this Sauvignon Blanc /Sémillon blend with its “great length and potential to improve for 3 years” to show “amazing white fruit with acacia complexity, fresh honey and a hint of vanilla”.

The International Wine Challenge is considered one of the world's finest and most meticulously judged wine competitions. This year, thousands of wines from a total of 55 countries were assessed blind and judged for their faithfulness to style, region and vintage. The IWC gold medal, which equates to a score of 95/100, is the latest international accolade to take pride of place in the Constantia Glen hall of fame.

STEENBERG WINS MUSEUM CLASS TROPHY AT THE OLD MUTUAL TROPHY WINE SHOW

Steenberg has received the highest recognition for the ageability of its cool climate wines by clinching the Trophy for the Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc at the 2018 Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show. The Steenberg Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2011 is a true expression of Steenberg’s terroir and gives real meaning to sense of place. It was the last bottling under the Reserve label to be crafted from the oldest Sauvignon Blanc block on Steenberg farm. This vineyard block now finds its home in Steenberg’s Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc.

NEDERBURG IN THE LEAD OF SA WINERIES FEATURED IN 'WORLD'S MOST ADMIRED WINE BRANDS' TOP 50 LIST

Nederburg has done it again! The Paarl winery again features in the esteemed World’s Most Admired Wine Brands top 50 list by Drinks International, a UK-based publication, for a third consecutive year. In 41st position, Nederburg is the highest placed of the three South African wineries featured on this year’s list. The judging panel comprised a broad spectrum of global wine professionals, including commercial buyers, importers, wine professionals, masters of wine, journalists and wine educators. Last year, Nederburg was the only South African winery to appear in this globally recognised ranking, and in 2016, the first time the winery was featured, it shared the honour with one other South African wine brand.

According to the organisers, to make it into the international line-up of the top 50 wine brands demands consistent or improving quality; a reflection of region or country of origin; a responsiveness to the needs and tastes of target audiences; excellent marketing and packaging; and a strong appeal to a wide demographic.