Our single-vineyard Syrah from the Cape‘s cool 2008 vintage won one of the few Gold medals awarded at this year’s Syrah du Monde competition in France. The Simonsig Merindol Syrah 2008 was among only 35 Gold medal winners out of 374 wines entered by 23 countries at this year’s rendition of the world’s premier competition for Syrah/ Shiraz wines.
The name Merindol is taken from the Malan Coat of Arms and is the French village from where the Malan Huguenot forebears originated. The Syrah vineyard from which the Merindol originates is planted on deep red Hutton soil of weathered granite origin.
Cellarmaster Johan Malan says that the recognition Simonsig achieved at the Syrah du Monde underscores the Stellenbosch region’s ability to produce a diverse range of wines from various grape varieties suited to the unique terroir.
“We are truly blessed with this geography enabling our winemakers to make an array of quality wines able to not only hold their own, but to excel on the world stage. The competitiveness of the international Syrah/Shiraz category gives our award extra glister, and we accept it with gratitude and pride as proof of South Africa’s winemaking ability.”