SIMONSIG REDHILL PINOTAGE UPHOLDS DOUBLE GOLD VERITAS TRACK RECORD

Quality excellence impresses local and international wine critics all year round

Simonsig Estate achieved all-round success at the 2008 Veritas Awards with medals awarded in every price category, sealed with a second consecutive Double Gold victory for its renowned Redhill Pinotage.

One double gold, four gold, nine silver and eight bronze medals, acquired for an extensive selection of flagship, ultra-premium and easy-drinking wines produced by this Stellenbosch legend, represents a strong endorsement of Simonsig’s commitment towards consistency in quality excellence.

Following in the footsteps of its Double Gold predecessor, the 2006 vintage of the multi-award winning Redhill Pinotage has excelled as one of only 36 wines of the 1 753 entries to earn the highest status at this year’s contest.

This latest accolade serves to prove that the profound commitment to South Africa’s unique homegrown grape varietal is paying off for Simonsig, who have also clinched a 4th victory in the closely contested 2008 ABSA Top Ten Competition.

“Renowned for our repertoire of reputable flagship red wines, Simonsig holds an admirable success record of producing outstanding Pinotage since 1970, when it was released as the first red wine cultivar for the estate,” shares Simonsig Cellar Master Johan Malan.

“Following on last year’s success at both the Veritas and ABSA Top Ten competitions, it is rewarding to once again be acknowledged as one of the top ambassadors of this red wine variety,” added Debbie Thompson who won the title as South Africa’s Woman Winemaker of the Year 2005 with her 2003 Redhill vintage.

She describes her 2006 vintage as an ‘intense wine with awesome depth and length of concentrated Pinotage berry fruit sweetness, lusciously melded with spicy new oak, which satisfies with a long ripe fruit finish’. The name, ‘Redhill’, is derived from the select vineyard block aptly named ‘Rooibult’ owing to the colour of the famous red hills that surround the Simonsig cellar.  

Other significant accolades awarded to the elegant Redhill Pinotage 2006 during 2008 include a gold medal at the International Michelangelo Wine Awards and a Diamond Award at the Winemakers Choice Awards.

The four Simonsig wines that won gold medals at the recent Veritas awards include the estate’s eloquent flagship white wine, Chenin Avec Chêne 2006 as well as the its Chenin Blanc 2007 – winner of the coveted Platter ‘Superquaffer of the Year’ award as the most drinkable, best value-for-money wine of 2008. 

Continuing its Veritas gold medal run spanning some ten years, Simonsig’s famous Cape Blend, Frans Malan, won golden acclaim for both its 2004 and 2005 vintages at this year’s challenge.

In addition, Simonsig’s Frans Malan celebrated victory at the 2008 International Wine & Spirits Competition with Gold - Best in Class - awarded to the 2005 vintage whilst the 2004 enjoyed the same success at the IWSC last year.  The 2004 vintage won a gold medal at the Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards earlier this year.

With 40 years in the wine industry under its belt, Simonsig continues to make waves as one of the leading producers in the Cape’s premier wine region. The estate  was voted best natural wine cellar at the 2005 Veritas Awards, whilst it excelled with its highest ever achievement at this prestigious contest in 2007, winning a record total of 23 medals.

For more information or to contact Simonsig Estate phone (+27)21 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.