Paarl Wine Region put in a stellar performance at the prestigious Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards. The trophy for the top South African producer went to Paarl-based Nederburg Wine Estate. In addition, five of the Top 21 class trophies were also awarded to Paarl wines.

This year saw the 26th edition of this highly respected competition, which allows South African producers the opportunity to have their wines judged locally by an experienced panel of international experts. All entries are judged blind by panels of five judges, using the 100-point international recognised OIV judging system.

According to Luan Aucamp, chairman of the Paarl Wine Route, this has been quite a remarkable performance by their various producers. “Michelangelo presents quite an interesting perspective of how our wines are perceived globally. In total, Paarl wines received 89 awards ranging from top producer, best in class and medals. This has certainly once again established the Paarl Wine Route as a highly competitive wine region. It is particularly satisfying to see the diversity of cultivars that came out tops. This will undoubtedly cement our reputation as a prominent player in the South African wine industry. It also proofs that as a region, we can offer wine lovers a wide variety of superior wines to appeal to a range of palates.”

Wineries that came out as best in class with the highest scores in their respective classes or categories, included Nederburg, Anura, Perdeberg, Ridgeback and Windmeul. The medal haul for Paarl continued with a further four platinum medals, which indicate that a wine scored a commendable 96 or more points. Boland, KWV, Nederburg and Perdeberg were amongst the only 19 entries globally to achieve this incredible level of excellence in 2022. Double gold medals for scores over 93 points went to another 31 Paarl wines, including several smaller producers, who are well known in the international market. In addition, there were also 37 gold and seven silver medals handed to Paarl producers.

PICTURED: Paarl Wine Region Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards winners (L-R): Isabel Teubes (Nederburg viticulturist), Samuel Viljoen (Nederburg cellar manager), Toit Wessels (Ridgeback winemaker), Andri le Roux (Perdeberg winemaker), Abraham van Heerden (Windmeul Cellar senior winemaker), Zinaschke Steyn (Nederburg winemaker – red), Pieter Badenhorst (Nederburg winemaker).

2022 MICHELANGELO INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS AWARDS PAARL WINNERS

Nederburg – Top SA producer

Top 21/Best in Class Trophy: Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

1 Platinum medal: Nederburg Winemasters Noble Late Harvest 2021

4 Double Gold medals: Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Anchorman 2021, Nederburg Winemasters Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Nederburg Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

8 Gold medals: Nederburg Manor House Chardonnay 2021,Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2012,  Nederburg Private Bin Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Nederburg Winemasters Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Nederburg Winemasters Shiraz 2020, Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Brew Master 2018

1 Silver medal: Nederburg Winemasters Edelrood 2020

 Anura Vineyards

Top 21/Best in Class Trophy: Anura Signature Cape Cuvee 2018

4 Double Gold medals: Anura Merlot Reserve 2020, Anura Malbec Reserve 2021, Anura Petit Verdot Reserve 2017, Anura Arpeggio 2019

3 Gold medals: Anura Malbec Reserve 2019, Anura SMC Reserve 2020, Anura Signature BDX 2018

Babylonstoren

3 Double Gold medals: Babylonstoren Chardonnay 2021, Babylonstoren Shiraz 2020, Babylonstoren Sprankel 2017

1 Gold medal: Babylonstoren Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Boland Cellar

Platinum: Classic Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2022

4 Gold medals: One Formation Chenin Blanc 2020, Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, One Formation Shiraz 2019,  One Formation Shiraz/Grenache/Viognier 2019

 Britz Family Wines (Under Oaks)

1 Double Gold: Under Oaks Merlot 2017

 Glen Carlou Vineyards

3 Double Gold medals: Glen Carlou Chardonnay 2021, Glen Carlou Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Glen Carlou Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

2 Gold medals: Glen Carlou Grand Classique 2020, Glen Carlou Petite Classique 2021

 KWV

Platinum: Laborie Chenin Blanc 2022

2 Double Gold medals: Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2021, Laborie Rose 2022

5 Gold medals: Laborie Chardonnay 2021,  Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, Cathedral Cellar Pinotage 2019, Laborie Shiraz 2021, Roodeberg 2021

1 Silver medal: Cathedral Cellar Triptych 2019

 Landskroon Wines

1 Double Gold medal: Landskroon Paul de Villiers Merlot 2019

1 Gold medal: Landskroon Paul de Villiers Shiraz 2020

 Niel Joubert Estate

1 Double Gold medal: blanc de noir 2022

2 Gold medals: chenin blanc 2019, Tempranillo - reserve 2020

 Perdeberg

Top 21/Best in Class Trophy: The Dry Land Collection Barrel Fermented Old Vine Chenin Blanc 2021

Platinum: Perdeberg Classic Collection Sauvignon Blanc 2022

2 Double Gold medals: The Vineyard Collection Pinot Noir Chardonnay 2022, The Dry Land Collection Longevity Natural Sweet Chenin Blanc 2018

8 Gold medals: SAAM Chenin Blanc , Fairtrade 2021, Perdeberg Classic Collection Chenin Blanc 2022, The Dry Land Collection Rossouw s Heritage 2020, The Dry Land Collection Tenacious Shiraz 2019, Endura Winemaker s Selection Cape Blend 2018, The Dry Land Collection Joseph s Legacy 2019, Rex Equus Pioneer`s Blend 2019, Lighthearted Low Alcohol Chenin Blanc 2022

5 Silver medals: Perdeberg Classic Collection Sparkling Rose 2022, Lighthearted Low Alcohol Cinsault Rose 2022, Perdeberg SSR - Soft Smooth White (WIC 250ml) 2022, Perdeberg SSR - Soft Smooth Red (WIC 250ml) 2021, Perdeberg SSR - Soft Smooth Rose (WIC 250ml) 2022

 Ridgeback

Top 21/Best in Class Trophy: Cabernet Franc 2020

2 Double Gold medals: Ridgeback Shiraz 2017, Cabernet Franc 2020

3 Gold medals: Ridgeback Viognier 2021, Ridgeback Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Ridgeback Journey 2019

Vondeling

2 Double Gold medals: Barrel Selection Chardonnay 2021, Petit Blanc Chenin Blanc 2022

3 Gold: Rosé 2022, Bowwood Pinotage 2019, Monsonia 2018

Windmeul Kelder

Top 21/Best in Class Trophy: Chenin Blanc 2022

2 Double Gold medals: Chenin Blanc Reserve 2021,The Legend Collection Pinotage 2020

1 Gold medal: Pinotage Rosé 2022

1 Silver: Cape Blend 2019

Go to www.maiwsa.co.za for a complete list of Paarl wineries and their award-winning wines.