CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2021 PEROLD ABSA CAPE BLEND WINNERS 

 

The Perold Absa Cape Blend competition was launched in 2011 to promote Pinotage.  Pinotage has its origins in South Africa and will always be synonymous with, Western Cape and South Africa. It cannot be mentioned without the name Abraham Izak Perold – the Father of Pinotage – coming to mind.  We can rightly and proudly say that South Africa owns the Pinotage brand. Establishing this new category, namely, Cape Blend and using Pinotage as the significant component in the blend, makes good marketing sense for South African wine producers to use this to chisel their mark in the very competitive wine markets.

The 2021 competition (32 entries), intends to commend and award those wines that consumers would enjoy drinking either from the wine list of a local restaurant or purchasing from a retail wine store. The panel of judges who selected the 2021 winners of the Perold Absa Cape Blend where Wilhelm Pienaar, Wikus Human, Rudger van Wyk, Elsa du Plessis and Charles Hopkins. This panel was tantalised by the finest Cape Blend entries for 2021.  Judges scored wines for their quality and the expertise of both winemaker and viticulturist.

Beyers Truter, Chairman of the Pinotage Association stated, “the intention of this competition is to use the legacy of Abraham Izak Perold to unite, to constantly improve the quality and to market the South African wine industry.  The winners  of this year’s competition can be exceptionally proud of the legacy they are leaving and should remain optimistic, there is a future for this category”.

The entries are always from a wide array of South African wine regions in numerous styles and blend combinations.  This year’s winners showcase what excellent vintages 2017 and 2018 were. The winners are from Stellenbosch (3), WC and Coastal region.

Congratulations to the 2021 Winners

Beyerskloof Faith Cape Blend 2018 – WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker: Anri Truter
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

Flagstone Dragon Tree Cape Blend 2018 – WO WC, Winemaker: Gerhard Swart
Pinotage/Shiraz/CabernetSauvignon/Durif/Cinsault/Grenache Noir/Mourvedre

Idiom Cape Blend 2018 – WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker: Reino Thiart
Pinotage/Cab Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Shiraz

KWV The Mentors Perold 2019 – WO Coastal Region, Winemaker: Izéle van Blerk
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Petite Sirah

Simonsig Frans Malan Cape Blend 2017 – WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker: Michael Malan
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

Winning any award is particularly important to the wine estate because it not only shows that they are making the type of wines that wine enthusiasts want to buy and enjoy, but also that they are making the type of wines that the trade wants to include in their wine lists.

This year the winners of the Perold Absa Cape Blend wines will also be used for several educational interventions with winemakers, sommeliers and consumers, hosting roundtable discussions to improve the overall quality and marketing of this expression of Pinotage.

“We are excited to celebrate the winners of the 2021 competition, Absa remains a key partner in the relationship and positioning of this proudly South African varietal and brand. Congratulations to this year’s winners and as we celebrate quality, remember that quality will always out live quantity.”, says Adri Esterhuyse, Absa AgriBusiness Economist.

We celebrate the following runners up of this category

Babylonstoren Kaapse Versnit 2019WO Paarl-Simondium, Winemaker: Klaas Stoffberg
Pinotage/Merlot/Malbec

Beyerskloof Faith Cape Blend 2016WO Stellenbosch, Winemaker: Anri Truter
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot

KWV The Mentors Perold 2018WO Coastal Region, Winemaker: Izéle van Blerk
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Petit Verdot/Petite Sirah

Spier Creative Block 8 2017 – WO Coastal Region, Winemaker: Johan Jordaan
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Shiraz/Cinsaut/Malbec/Mourvédre/Petit Verdot

Windmeul Reserve Cape Blend 2018WO Coastal Region, Winemaker: Abraham van Heerden
Pinotage/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Petit Verdot

Congratulations to all finalists of the Perold Absa Cape Blend competition.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Date 28 September 2021 | Pinotage Association | Belinda Jacobs | brand@pinotage.co.za  | Phone: 0798799705

NB AVAILABLE IN AFRIKAANS ON REQUEST