Durbanville Wine Valley Plays Leading Role At Historic Concours Mondial

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.

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. Sauvignon Blanc is South Africa’s top selling cultivar and most exported variety, with Durbanville expressions among the leading sources.

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.

Durbanville Wine Valley manager Natasha de Villiers.

“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.

“The judges were immensely impressed with the quality, complexity and excellent winemaking techniques of the wines. It was refreshing and heart-warming to see the excitement for the South African Sauvignon blanc.”

Malu Lambert, Christian Eedes, Francois Rautenbach, Heidi Duminy, Dr Carien Coetzee, Dr Winifred Bowman, Fiona McDonald, Baudouin Havaux (Chairperson of Vinopres), Quentin Havaux (CEO of Concours Mondial du Sauvignon and Vinopres) and René Groenewald.

Underscoring its reputation for outstanding wines and Sauvignon blanc in particular is a magical combination of ideal soils and climate, and multi-generational viticulture and winemaking know-how.

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. Part of their experience, curated by Sauvignon Blanc SA, included official functions hosted at Durbanville Hills and Diemersdal.

Here, all Durbanville producers attended and contributed to the success of not only the events themselves, but Concours Mondial’s overall experience of South African hospitality.

“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.”

Stay up to date with Durbanville Wine Valley by following @DurbanvilleWine on Twitter and Facebook, Instagram.

For more information about Durbanville Wine Valley, visit www.durbanvillewine.co.za or send email to info@durbanvillewine.co.za. Many of the wines from Durbanville are available for sale directly from the wine route’s website.