Decanter Awards

Friday, May 25th, 2012

The London Wine Trade Fair was the venue for the announcement of the results of the 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards. This year entries were well in excess of 14 000 wines, up from last year’s 12 252 with Australia and South Africa the largest categories of entry.

There were 10 regional trophies awarded to South African wines and a total of 15 gold medals, the same number of trophies although a notable dip in the number of golds when contrasted with the 2011 figure of 27.

Decanter publishing director Sarah Kemp said the big jump in entries “demonstrated the confidence which producers and consumers have in the validity of the Decanter World Wine Awards”.

Chairman of the Awards, Steven Spurrier said when the competition was launched in 2003 “we had no idea” that it would grow to these sort of numbers. Taking an overview, Spurrier said that in 2011 only 2.5% of wines entered attained gold medals. “Ask yourself: what more does this wine have to do to get gold?” he exhorted judges at the briefing in April. “Try not to be too generous not too severe…” was his parting shot.

Regional trophies went to: Bellingham Bernard Series Bush Vine Pinotage 2010, Chamonix Pinot Noir Reserve 2010, Fleur du Cap Cabernet Sauvignon unfiltered 2010, Jordan 9 Yards Chardonnay 2010, Nederburg Manor House Shiraz Mourvedre 2010, Nederburg Edelkeur 2008, Nederburg Winemakers Reserve Noble Late Harvest 2010, Spice Route Chakalaka 2009, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2010 and Villiera Monro Brut 2007,

Wines awarded gold medals were: Almenkerk Chardonnay 2011, Bouchard Finlayson Kaaimansgat Chardonnay 2010, Cirrus Syrah 2009 ,Diemersfontein Carpe Diem Pinotage 2010, Eikendal Merlot 2009, Ernie Els Merlot 2010, Ernie Els Proprietor’s Syrah 2010, Kasteelberg Shiraz 2010, KWV Cathedral Cellars Chenin Blanc 2011, KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2010, Namaqua Spencer Bay Pinotage 2010, Paul Cluver Chardonnay 2010, Saronsberg Provenance Shiraz 2010, Waterkloof Circle of Life 2010 and Zonnebloem A Place In The Sun Shiraz 2011.

(Declaration: Fiona McDonald served as both a judge and the Regional Chair for South Africa at the Decanter World Wine Awards.)