History was made for the wine industry in South Africa this year, when the international Concours Mondial du Sauvignon competition was held outside Europe for the first time in the show’s 14-year history.
This was made possible by the vision and hard work of our cellarmaster RJ Botha who is also the Chairman of Sauvignon Blanc South Africa. The exclusive competition travelled to Franschhoek, South Africa, with 50 international wine experts judging 1 210 wines from 20 countries, resulting in a gold medal for the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020.
We are very proud that Kleine Zalze secured one of only 26 gold medals awarded to South African producers: with the Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 receiving the accolade. RJ Botha says winning a gold medal at this year’s Concours was especially rewarding. ‘By convincing the organisers of the Concours du Sauvignon to take this major international competition outside of Europe for the first time and seeing the show successfully held in the Cape already gave each and every Sauvignon Blanc producer in the Cape a winning feeling,’ says Botha. ‘Then to learn that one of our Kleine Zalze wines secured a Concours du Sauvignon gold medal, was truly the icing on the cake.’
The Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020 is a wine in the top tier of offerings in the brand and is made from vineyard sites identified by Botha and his team as having the ability to express superior Sauvignon Blanc character.
Botha says the fact that Kleine Zalze’s Concours du Sauvignon gold medal was awarded to a sauvignon blanc already three years’ old was especially gratifying. ‘With a few seasons in the bottle, the Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc takes on a new, more sophisticated and complex personality, something producers of Sauvignon Blanc strive towards as we believe this variety can deliver some of the world’s greatest white wines,’ he says. ‘It is especially pleasing to have this character recognised in the Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc on an international platform, an award which underscores Kleine Zalze’s commitment to optimal quality wines through terroir expression and astute winemaking, as well as commercial success.’
This special wine is no stranger to winning awards. The list of accolades and awards includes:
- Veritas 2022 – Double Gold
- John Platter South African Wine Guide 2022 – 4½ Stars
- Sauvignon Blanc SA – Top 10 2021
- Michelangelo Wine & Spirits Awards 2021 – Kuehne & Nagel Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
To celebrate the multiple award-winning Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Kleine Zalze is offering a free tasting of this special wine to all visitors who enjoy any of the regular tastings during April.
Also read:
Picture: Supplied