Sommeliers Selection 2019 Award Ceremony

The Sommeliers Selection 2019 award ceremony took place this week in Franschhoek followed by a tasting of the winning wines.

The Sommeliers Selection is the only South African wine competition judged solely by a panel of South Africa’s top sommeliers, in categories fashioned around the perfect varietals for both a restaurant wine menu and to accompany food.

Winning wines, beer and gin come from more than 60 farms with six stand-out wines and beers honoured.

These were the Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2018, Plaisir de Merle Grand Plaisir 2014, Idiom Bordeaux Blend 2015, Villiera Wines Tradition Brut NV, Peter Falke Wines Méthode Cap Classique 2013 and, in the craft beer category, the Cape Brewing Company's Mandarina Bavaria IPA.

These - and many more - can be sampled at the tasting evenings still to be held in October in Johannesburg and Durban.

Judges for this year's competition were Joakim Hansi Blackadder, board member of both Somm Hospitality Enterprises and SA Sommelier Association; Wikus Human, head sommelier at Marble restaurant; Tinashe Nyamudoka, head sommelier at The Test Kitchen and who is a board member of the South African Sommelier Association and the Black Cellar Club; Chantelle Gous who works with the Singita Premierwine Direct team; Wayve Kolevsohn, head sommelier at The Test Kitchen in Cape Town; Esmé Groenewald, administrator for the SA Sommelier Association and board member of Somm Hospitality Enterprises; Barry Scholfield, board member of the SA Sommelier Association and Somm Hospitality Enterprises; Tongai Joseph Dhafana, internationally celebrated sommelier from La Calombe and a board member of BLACC and Xolani Mancotywa, recently appointed as a private client's manager for the Moet Hennessy portfolio in South Africa.

The Sommeliers Selection tastings take place in October at:

JOHANNESBURG

Venue: Pool Deck, Tsogo Sun Hyde Park
Date: Wednesday, 16 October
Times: 16:00-18:00 - trade only
18:00 - public admitted
21:00 - doors close
Tickets: R100pp or R175 for two (no persons under 18 permitted)
Book: www.webtickets.co.za/