KWV notched up another sterling performance at this year’s Michelangelo International Wine Awards with KWV The Mentors wines collecting the lion’s share of 17 medals amassed by the Paarl producer, including a coveted Gran D’Or.
The achievement for The Mentors range – arguably the most awarded wine brand in the country in recent years – is significant considering the age of the wines, according to KWV Chief Winemaker Richard Rowe. “The first wines were launched in 2006 and grown rapidly into something special,” he says.
Collecting a Gran D’Or award this year was the KWV Mentors Cabernet Franc 2010.
Gold medals for KWV The Mentors went to the Semillon 2011; Grenache Blanc 2011; Canvas 2010; and, Orchestra 2010. Silver medals were awarded to the Chardonnay 2011; Semillon 2010; Pinotage 2010; and, Shiraz 2010.
The performance of this premium range at the competition highlights the consistency of its international standing. The Michelangelo International Wine Awards were established with the purpose of giving local wines the opportunity of being judged by an international panel of wine experts. The results of the 16th event were announced on Friday in Somerset West. A total of 1 432 entries from 295 producers were assessed this year, including 41 from producers outsideSouth Africa- the highest number of international entries to date. A panel from 15 countries judged the entries.
Since their launch, The Mentors have featured in virtually every major wine competition, including the Mundus Vini International Wine Awards in Germany; Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show; Veritas Awards; Decanter International Wine Awards; Absa Top 10 Pinotage Awards; and, Five Nations Wine Challenge, which pits wines from leading wine producers Argentina, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and Chile against each other.
“The Mentors’ accomplishments are a material indication of the evolution of KWV with many wines exported to the rest of the world,” says Rowe. “The most recent success of the Cabernet Franc – one of the few single varietals in The Mentors range – is particularly gratifying for what it says about the strategy to identify excellence in individual parcels of vineyard.
“That’s what we’ve done here to produce a wine worthy of carrying The Mentors name.”
The Mentors comprise premium quality wines made from selected vineyards. A purpose-built cellar was established specifically to allow KWV’s winemaking team to investigate small premium parcels of fruit from various regions and vineyards that go into The Mentors wines. Only wines satisfying the quality standard are bottled under The Mentors label.
KWV is one of the leading wine and spirits producers inSouth Africa. Its head office is located in Paarl, in theWestern Cape– a top wine producing region. The company sources wines and grapes from the best and most sought-after viticultural regions inSouth Africa. KWV is known internationally for brands such as Roodeberg, KWV wines, Laborie, Golden Kaan, Cathedral Cellar, Café Culture, Wild African Cream and the KWV 3, 5, 10 and 20 Year Old brandies. KWV is a founder member of the Industry Association for Responsible Use of Alcohol (ARA).
