The Trophy Wine Show has always been a talent scout, discovering new producers and highlighting investments that lead to significant improvements in wine quality.
- This year, 640 wines were judged, with 286 winning bronze, 125 silver, and 32 gold.
- There were 19 trophy-winning wines shared between 15 producers.
- Notably, for the first time, a wine entered in the organic wine category won a gold medal, securing the inaugural Organic Wine Trophy.
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The third decade of the 21st century has been challenging for wine producers worldwide. With per capita consumption declining and wine prices dropping, producers face significant pressure. The reduced demand for premium wines has squeezed profit margins, while the market for everyday wines hits a price floor below which profitability is unsustainable.
In this tough economic climate, the 2024 Trophy Wine Show, sponsored by Investec, plays a crucial role for Cape wine producers. As domestic sales falter and exports remain fragile, success at South Africa’s most credible wine competition can be transformative. Astute buyers recognize that any medal from the Trophy Wine Show guarantees quality, and winning one of the fewer than 20 gold medals awarded is akin to hitting the jackpot.
The Trophy Wine Show offers extraordinary value to wine-drinkers. Many winning wines are less expensive than the high-priced fashion wines on the market. The show operates as a bench-marking exercise where quality alone determines the outcome. All wines are judged blind, with labels out of sight, ensuring that marketing messages do not influence the panelists. Every submission is scored and discussed, and every result is achieved through consensus, with each judge sharing responsibility for the final score.
Esteemed figures such as Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW from Napa, Fongyee Walker MW from China, and Claire Blackler MW from London bring extensive judging expertise and an international perspective. It often surprises consumers by showcasing long-established wineries that continue to produce exceptional wines, proving that commercial failures are more often due to marketing missteps than product quality.
The show is also a driver of innovation, leading efforts to reduce unnecessary packaging weight, which impacts the industry’s carbon footprint. Since 2023, every bottle entered is weighed, revealing an astonishing 200% variance in weight.
Wines Judged by Major Category:
• Chardonnay: 67
• Chenin Blanc: 62
• Sauvignon Blanc (wooded and unwooded): 64
• Méthode Cap Classique: 37
• Bordeaux Blends: 59
• Cabernet Sauvignon: 58
• Shiraz: 55
• Pinotage: 51
The South African panel included Narina Cloete, Heidi Duminy CWM, Eben February, Gynore Hendricks, Mandla Patson Mathonsi, James Pietersen, and François Rautenbach. Associate judges, graduates of the Michael Fridjhon Wine Judging Academy, were given the opportunity to work in a rigorous judging environment and learn from experienced tasters. Their scores, however, were not included in the final tally.
The Trophy & Gold Medal Winners
Investec Trophy for Most Successful Producer Overall
KWV
Business Day Trophy for Best Shiraz
Investec Trophy for Discovery of the Show – Best Value Gold Medallist
Investec Trophy for Best Red Wine Overall
Nederburg The Winemasters Shiraz 2022
Trophy for Best Chardonnay
Investec International Judges’ Trophy
Vinolok Trophy for Best Premium Wine
Investec Trophy for Best White Wine Overall
Delaire Graff Estate Banghoek Chardonnay 2022
Investec Trophy for Best Cabernet Sauvignon
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cabernet Sauvignon
Bosman Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc
KWV The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2022
Riedel Trophy for Best Bordeaux-Style Red Blend
Zevenwacht Z Reserve Collection 2021
Trophy for Best Other Red Blend
KWV The Mentors Canvas 2020
Sowetan Trophy for Best Cap Classique
Pongrácz Méthode Cap Classique Blanc de Blancs NV
Trophy for Best Museum Class Cap Classique
Trophy for Best Museum Class Wine Overall
JC Le Roux Méthode Cap Classique Scintilla Vintage Reserve 2015
Sunday Times Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc
Trophy for Best Organic Wine
Stark-Condé Round Mountain Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Wooded)
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc
Thelema Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2015 (Unwooded)
Trophy for Best Pinotage
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Promenade Pinotage 2022
Investec Trophy for Best Semillon
Thor Lara Semillon 2023
Trophy for Best Museum Class Semillon
Bloemendal Semillon 2017
Financial Mail Trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Cape Point Vineyards Isliedh 2022
Trophy for Best Museum Class Sauvignon Blanc Semillon Blend
Bloemendal Kanonberg 2018
Trophy for Best Other White Blend
Schenkfontein Stofjas 2021
Investec Trophy for Best Dessert Wine
Nederburg The Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2023
Tony Mossop Trophy for Best Cape Port
Delaire Graff Cape Vintage 2021
Gold Medal Winners
- Blaauwklippen Chardonnay 2023
- Bon Courage Inkará Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
- Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve Port 2006
- Buitenverwachting ‘1769’ 2021 (Noble Late Harvest)
- Cederberg Shiraz 2020
- Chamonix Premier White Reserve 2022 (Blend)
- De Krans Tritonia Calitzdorp Blend 2022 (Red)
- Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2023
- Kleine Zalze Vintage Brut Chardonnay Pinot Noir Cap Classique 2017
- KWV Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2023 (Unwooded)
- Leeuwenkuil Heritage Chenin Blanc 2020
- Lothian of Elgin Chardonnay 2021
- Zevenwacht Z Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2023
All results, including silver (90 to 94/100) and bronze medallists (85 – 89/100) are listed on the website. As the 2024 Trophy Wine Show concludes, it reaffirms its critical role in supporting and showcasing the best of South African wines, driving quality and innovation in an industry facing unprecedented challenges.
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