Durbanville Sauvignon Blancs get global recognition

Posted on 28 March 2023

Wines from the Durbanville Wine Valley (DWV) have ascended to even greater international prominence following their stellar performance at this year’s historic Concours Mondial du Sauvignon wine show. Hosted in South Africa just days ago, it was the first time in history that the Sauvignon Blanc-focussed championship was held outside Europe.

Durbanville producers were among the recipients to receive the most medals, claiming six golds and two silvers.

‘This is a momentous occasion for the Durbanville Wine Valley,’ says DWV manager Natasha de Villiers. ‘Our producers have done themselves and the South African wine industry proud with these achievements at one of the most authoritative shows of its kind.

‘We have always believed in the ability of our cool-climate Durbanville vineyards to deliver consistent quality and having them recognised by the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon on such a historic occasion is a wonderful affirmation of this faith.’

The Durbanville entries were among more than 1 200 wines from all over the world that were assessed by expert panels over three days in March in Franschhoek. The winners were announced at the ProWein trade fair in Germany last week.

They included Gold medallists Maastricht Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2022, Groot Phesantekraal Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Durbanville Hills Cool Climate Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Cape Garden Cape Town Sauvignon Blanc 2021 and Durbanville Hills The Tangram White Blend 2020.

Silvers went to De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2022 and Diemersdal The Journal Sauvignon Blanc 2021.

‘The Durbanville Wine Valley did exceptionally well, showing that Durbanville Sauvignon Blanc is world-class, interesting and full of the site expression that Durbanville is renowned for,’ says Basic Wine director Dr Carien Coetzee, member of Sauvignon Blanc SA and the Concours Mondial judging panel’s South African contingent.

In the wake of the event, the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon declared that while South Africa is ranked fifteenth among the countries with the biggest vineyard plantings, it has established itself as a major producer of quality Sauvignon blanc, being South Africa’s top-selling cultivar and most exported variety and Durbanville expressions among the leading sources.

The visit by Concours Mondial du Sauvignon to South Africa included over 50 specialist wine tasters, of which the majority were foreigners who had never been to the country before.

‘We fell head over heels in love with South Africa. The time we spent here was certainly too short,’ says Concours Mondial director Quentin Havaux. ‘Thank you to Sauvignon Blanc SA and the tasters for highlighting the best Sauvignon blanc wines in the world.’

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