Two wines, made from varieties on which the estate’s reputation was founded, each won Gold at this year’s Mundus Vini Wine Competition held in Germany – namely the Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2017 and Redhill Pinotage 2015.
Besides its Gold medal, Simonsig Chenin Blanc 2017 was also judged the best South African white wine on show.
Organised annually by the German publishing house Meininger, under patronage of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), Mundus Vini attracts thousands of entries from wine countries around the world and is recognised as one of the industry’s leading global competitions.
According to Simonsig cellar master Johan Malan, the awards are a tribute to the varieties on which Simonsig’s pedigree are founded (back to 1968). “Chenin Blanc and Pinotage were among the first varieties my father Frans planted on Simonsig, so it really is a tribute to the Malan family’s wine-making heritage,” says Malan.
“Having our Chenin Blanc receive the extra recognition as best South African white on show is an extra feather to don, as this year we celebrated the 50th Chenin Blanc harvest on Simonsig. Even the first Cap Classique we made on Simonsig was from Chenin Blanc, so this and Pinotage have always been close to our hearts.”
Malan says that to have both a Chenin Blanc and a Pinotage receive a Gold medal from the Mundus Vini’s esteemed judging panel is an honour for Simonsig and acknowlegement to the diversity of wine grape varieties we are able to produce in Stellenbosch. “This has been the result of understanding our unique Stellenbosch terroir and planting varieties matching the extraordinary diverse sites so conducive to vineyard cultivation.”
“Apart from honouring our wines and our cellar team, results such as these from Mundus Vini are important to us due to the role they play in underscoring our commitment to quality.”