Winemag.co.za produces a variety of reports throughout the year. We taste blind and use the 100-point system in line with international convention.
Please see our Ratings System page for more details.
Prescient, a multinational financial services company, sponsors all category reports that culminate in the annual announcement of the Top 10 Wines in South Africa.
Winemag.co.za convenes panel tastings throughout the year in order to generate the in-depth category reports – 2023 programme tabled below.
Wines are tasted blind (labels out of sight) by a three-person panel chaired by Christian Eedes, editor of winemag.co.za.
Wines must be commercially available and the minimum stock requirement is 100 six-bottle cases or 600 bottles. Wines must be certified as South African.
An entry fee of R1250 applies and payment must be made online. An entry sample takes the form of two bottles plus the entry form and a fact sheet with technical analysis. Samples must be delivered to 44 Liesbeek Road, Rosebank, Cape Town between 08h30 and 15h00 on the specified date. No late submissions will be accepted.
In the event a wine achieves Best in Category status, 12 bottles must be set aside at not charge, these to be served at award events plus roadshow tastings.
Important 2023 dates for the REPORTS:
| 2023 month | winemag.co.za Report | Entries Open | Entries Close | Sample Delivery | Judging Date | Report Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb-Apr | Minority Report: White & Red | 27 Feb | 22 Mar | 23 Mar | 28 + 29 Mar | 11 April |
| Mar – May | Chenin Blanc
Cape White Blends Shiraz |
27 Mar | 25 Apr |
26 Apr |
2 + 3 May
3 May 4 + 5 May |
16 May |
| May – Jun | Pinotage
Signature Red Blend |
15 May | 14 Jun | 15 Jun | 20 Jun
21 Jun |
4 July |
| Jul – Aug | Sauvignon Blanc
Sauv-Sem Blends Cape Bordeaux Red Blends |
10 Jul | 10 Aug | 11 Aug | 14 + 15 Aug
15 Aug 16 + 17 Aug |
29 Aug |
| Sep – Nov |
Chardonnay
Cabernet Sauvignon |
4 Sep | 4 Oct | 5 Oct | 9 + 10 Oct
11 + 12 Oct |
27 Oct |
The Top 10 performers are celebrated at an awards event and revealed online. The full reports are available online and shared via social media and other channels.
Wineries may purchase winemag.co.za rating stickers to promote their scores. Stickers are available at R495/1000, email info@winemag.co.za to place an order. Stickers must be collected from 3 Main Drive, Sea Point, Cape Town on Tuesday or Friday of the week (021 439 3102) or select the courier option at an additional flat fee of R115.
Winemag has convened the Label Design Awards since 2015 commencing with the Wine category, in 2017 introduced the Beer category and from 2020, the Spirits category. This label design competition is proudly sponsored by self-adhesive label supplier Rotolabel, with Avery Dennison, Synchron, Kemtek and HP Indigo as secondary sponsors.
The motivation for the competition is to reward outstanding design as an influence on wine, beer and spirit purchases. The competition seeks to reward the best design and packaging for beverages made in South Africa in these three categories. The judging criteria include originality of concept, execution, shelf appeal and effectiveness as a piece of communication. Only wines, beers and spirits produced in South Africa may be entered.
Wines are judged in four categories:
Beers are judged in two categories:
Spirits are judged in two categories:
Wines, beers and spirits must be commercially available and the minimum stock requirement is 50 six-bottle cases. Each entry must be accompanied by a 150-word creative rationale.
After official judging, the finalists will be displayed on winemag.co.za for a set period to allow for consumer voting to determine a “People’s Choice” winner for each category. The results will be announced on 16 November 2023.
The entry kit will be available online from 28 August 2023, closing date is 18 October 2023. For further information, contact Jacqueline Lahoud on 083 654 7721 or jax@winemag.co.za.
Join the conversation on twitter: @Winemag #LabelDesignAwards #Wine #Beer #Spirits
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