Concours Mondial du Sauvignon 2013 results
By Christian Eedes, 30 April 2013
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South Africa took six gold medals at this year’s Concours Mondial du Sauvignon Blanc, the winning wines being Cederberg 2012, Delaire Graff Coastal Cuvée 2012, Diemersdal 2013, Lomond 2012, Strandveld 2012 and Totus 2009.
France dominated the competition with 51 of the total of 79 golds awarded but South Africa did well in relation to its southern hemisphere rivals, tying with Chile and emerging ahead of New Zealand which achieved four golds.
Judging of the 807 entries took place over Friday 26 and Saturday 27 April in Blois, France. I joined Pieter de Waal, secretary of the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group and Hermit on the Hill winemaker as the two South African representatives on a panel of some 60 jurors from around the world.
Best blend (containing between 51% and 85% Sauvignon Blanc) was Château Tour de Mirambeau Réserve 2012 from Bordeaux, best oaked Sauvignon was Domaine André Vatan Saint François 2011 from Sancerre, best non-oaked Sauvignon above 10€ a bottle was Weingut Genheimer Killz Gutenberger Felseneck 2012 from Germany and best non-oaked Sauvignon below 10€ was Domaine Gibault 2012 from Touraine.
At Saturday night’s gala dinner, the English-speaking judges commandeered a table and I found myself sitting with the likes of Mark De Vere MW from the USA, Jim Budd, founder of the blog Jim’s Loire and Jamie Goode representing the United Kingdom and Dr Paul White from New Zealand.
Also at the table was the bilingual Anne Serres of French website Vitisphere. She’s a keen Stade Francais fan and drummer in an amateur rock band so we got on well. Interestingly enough, when it came to the South African wine scene she was more interested in hearing about Pinotage and Cape Blends than anything to do with Sauvignon…
Christian | 30 April 2013
Hi Angela, Diemersdal was the only 2013 among the golds (and the Totus one of only two 2009s, the other going to a Slovenian wine).
Panels consisted of either five or six jurors and scoring was done according to the 100-point system but involving check-list broken down as follows: 1) limpidity, 2) appearance, 3) aromatic intensity, 4) aromatic genuineness, 5) overall aromatic quality, 6) flavour intensity, 7) flavour genuineness, 8) overall flavour quality, 9) persistence and 10) harmony. Rather convoluted, at least to me.
Angela Lloyd | 30 April 2013
Oops, got so carried away by that 2013, forgot to say well done to all the be-medalled South African wines. Cool (which is where most come from!)
Angela Lloyd | 30 April 2013
Whew, a 2013 – that was brave of Thys! Was it the only one in the whole line up? Some interesting winners. It would be helpful to know how the competition is judged.