The FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 of 2022. In the front from left, are Andries Burger, Paul Clüver; Kobus van der Merwe, KWV; Quintin van der Westhuizen, Cilmor; Edwin Mathambo, Bonnievale; Nataleé Botha, Kleine Zalze; Hagen Viljoen, Zevenwacht. In the back from left, are Johan Jordaan, Spier; Charles Hopkins, De Grendel; Stephan Claassen, Provincial Head FNB Business in the Western and Eastern Cape; Shaun McVey, Strandveld; Juandre Bruwer, Diemersdal; Brent Claassens, Managing Director, EVER Solutions.
Entries are now open for the 2023 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 competition.
The cultivar group Sauvignon Blanc SA is now accepting entries for the 17th edition of this competition dedicated to South Africa's top-selling and most-exported varietal, which sold an impressive 14.3 million litres domestically and exported 67.7 million litres in 2022.
The competition owes its success to the valued partnership with title partner FNB and platinum partner EVER SA.
Producers can submit their entries at https://sauvignonblanc.com/top10-entry/. The deadline for entries is Tuesday August 15, with late entries accepted until Wednesday August 23.
A distinguished panel of wine specialists, led by Cape Wine Master Dr Winifred Bowman, will assess the contenders from Tuesday August 29, to Thursday August 31, at Uitkyk Estate in Stellenbosch.
Joining Dr Bowman on the panel are wine judge and author Fiona McDonald, Johann Fourie, head winemaker of Benguela Cove, winemaker Morgan Steyn of De Grendel, Greg Mutambe, chief sommelier at The Twelve Apostles Hotel, as well as two protégé judges.
The twenty finalists will be announced in September, while the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 Awards ceremony will reveal the winners in October.
Sauvignon Blanc SA Chairperson, RJ Botha, holds high expectations for the 2023 competition. “Our winemakers performed exceptionally well in the recent Concours Mondial du Sauvignon," says Mr Botha.
“Out of the 152 wines entered by South African producers, a third were awarded medals, including 26 gold and 30 silver medals. The Villiera Bush Vine 2022 was honoured with the Tonnellerie Sylvain trophy for the best wooded wine, and Darling Cellars’ Gustus Sauvignon Blanc 2020 secured the Revelation South Africa trophy.”
Mr Botha emphasizes that the world has its eyes on South African Sauvignon Blanc and its remarkable diversity. “Every year, the FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 10 showcases a wide range of origins and styles, offering diverse flavour profiles,” he explains.
“Both wooded and unwooded wines perform remarkably well. Additionally, it's worth noting that the vintage on the label is not an expiration date, and Sauvignon Blanc enthusiasts should explore older vintages as well.”
For more information, visit www.sauvignonblanc.com or contact Sauvignon Blanc SA at info@sauvignonblanc.com or 082 808 1114.