SIMONSIG MAKES PLATTER HISTORY WITH SUPERQUAFFER AND 5-STAR WINESimonsig Chenin Blanc voted ‘Superquaffer’ for 2nd consecutive year Pioneering Stellenbosch wine estate, Simonsig, has become the first cellar ever to have won the coveted Platter’s ‘Superquaffer of the Year’ award with the same wine for two consecutive years. In addition, Simonsig also made history as the first estate to have won a ‘Superquaffer’ title and a 5-star rating in the same Platter edition – The newly released Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2008 topped the 380 ‘ultra-easy sippers’ as the best value-for-money wine in the 2009 edition, while the 5-star Simonsig wine is the flagship 2006 Redhill Pinotage. The 2007 Simonsig Chenin Blanc held the ‘Superquaffer’ title in the 2008 Platter edition. “The diverse nature of these two Platter awards embraces our winemaking philosophy as we put as much effort, care and quality into each of our wines across a broad spectrum, no matter what the price point of the wine,” says Simonsig winemaker Johan Malan. In another wine guide just released, renowned author and passionate wine lover Michael Olivier, has chosen Simonsig as his Winery of the Year 2009 describing it in his latest edition of Crush as an ‘every man’s winery’. “The Simonsig range includes wines for all people, all tastes and at all prices – truly serving all of the people, all of the time,” he said. Chenin blanc was the first wine released by Johan Malan’s late father, Frans Malan, and after 40 years, remains Simonsig’s biggest selling wine. Crowned with screw cap convenience, the full-bodied Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2008 beckons for a twist with expressive fruit-forward flavours inspiring easy drinking wine enjoyment, whilst maintaining the quality distinction synonymous with Simonsig. The eminently enjoyable 2008 vintage has a star-bright colour with a vibrant green tinge. Sweet fruit aromas of sun-kissed Golden Delicious apples, ripe pears and floral notes are dominant on the nose whilst the palate is filled with a tropical fruit salad of melon, guava and pineapple. A hint of wild honey evokes a silky richness on the aftertaste. It is the quintessential companion on a hot summer’s day and complements seafood as well as traditional curry and spicy Thai cuisine exceptionally well. The Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2008 retails from R32 per bottle and is available at leading wine outlets and supermarkets country wide. The 5-star Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2006 is a Veritas Double Gold medallist and 2008 ABSA Top Ten Pinotage. Other significant accolades awarded to this elegant red during 2008, include a gold medal at the International Michelangelo Wine Awards and a Diamond Award at the Winemakers Choice Awards. Simonsig red winemaker Debbie Thompson 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. Simonsig Redhill Pinotage 2006 retails from R145 per bottle at leading fine wine outlets. For more information or direct cellar orders contact Simonsig Estate at Tel: (021) 888 4915 or visit www.simonsig.co.za.
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