2024 Gold Wine Awards –

The quest for value wines continues

The eleventh annual Gold Wine Awards took place at the end of August 2024 at Neethlingshof Wine Estate near Stellenbosch. The majority of the assembled judges were retail specialists and were tasked with finding value wines at R160.00, and sparkling wines at R200.00 and below in a double-blind tasting. The tasters always look forward to this event, because of its innovative format and great selection. The tasting is done blind, and always invites excited speculation as to the winning wines. There was good camaraderie among the tasters who were united in their cause, and although the tasting was serious business, there was an atmosphere of excitement in the air.

World economic realities

Every year, there are new factors leading to financial constraints on wine lovers. This is due to macroeconomic factors from overseas, but also because of local factors, including inflation and currency fluctuations. This leads wine buyers to seek out wines that are discounted, for instance wine from wine-clubs, producers, wine retailers and other establishments that are offering specials. Even consumers that look for wines in the higher brackets have started to adopt this way of thinking, and marketers seem to have included some version of this concept, even if it is discounting to their wine clubs, or on Valentine’s Day, Women’s day or during Christmas.

Local economic realities

Winery sales are slow in general, with overseas sales just about drying up for some wineries. Wineries are sitting with a large inventory, and labelling companies are feeling the pinch. We are far beyond the point where we can blame COVID, this is just a reflection of economic realities felt by the consumer. There has been a huge shift in the way wineries allocate their marketing budget, having to cut down on cost, and also which wine competitions they enter. Despite this, Gold Wine Awards had a strong showing, which is a huge vote of confidence from the industry.

Panelists at the 2024 Gold Wine Awards

The convenor purposefully chose panelists with extensive retail experience. These are the people in the industry making their living from understanding the flavour profiles and price points of the wines they need to sell. By partnering with industry doorkeepers, the Gold Wine Awards are keeping pace with the people monitoring the consumer’s pulse.

The all star panel consisted of retail veterans Ad Wegner from GetWine, Reinette Muir from Wine Concepts Newlands, Sue Proudfoot from Wine Concepts Kloof Street, Lara Philp from The Vineyard Connection, Ezra Benjamin from Liquor City Claremont, Gary van der Walt from Wine & Company Hermanus, Georgio Meletiou from Spier Estate.

Renette Muir – Wine Concepts Newlands

Sue Proudfoot – Wine Concepts

Lara Philp – The Vineyard Connection

Ad Wegner – Getwine

Ezra Benjamin – Liquor City Claremont

Gary van der Walt – Wine & Company

Georgio Meletiou – Spier Estate

Wines at R160, and sparkling wines at R200 and below per bottle

There is little guidance for consumers to find value-for-money wines, especially in the lower-price categories. Awards serve as a marketing tool, and the consumer can make more informed buying choices.

The best wines were awarded gold or double gold, indicating value for money. After scoring the wines, the results are then statistically correlated to the price to determine whether the wines offer real value for money. The top-performing producers can use a Top 10 sticker on their bottles proclaiming their Top 10 position.

Retail outlets know that the value wines on their shelves are the reason they keep their doors open, and consumers are increasingly becoming more value-conscious, not settling for mediocre wines. The standard of the awarded wines was outstanding, especially considering that the wines are selling at R160, and sparkling wines at R200 or below per bottle.

Sauvignon blanc

Sauvignon blanc was the biggest white wine class in the tasting. The judges were especially excited to taste the Sauvignon blancs, and a meticulous evaluation unfolded, highlighting the varietal’s characteristic brightness. Predominantly from the 2024 vintage, the wines exhibited lively acidity and vibrant fruit profiles. The wines from the 2023 vintage displayed a matured, nuanced complexity. The tasting underscored Sauvignon blanc’s consistent appeal, emphasizing its refreshing acidity and expressive nature across both vintages, revealing a meticulous craftsmanship that transcends year-to-year variations.

We asked the wine tasters, that if they had to choose between a 2024 or 2023 Sauvignon blanc, which they had no clue about in the budget range, which one they would choose. The tasters were adamant that they would prefer the 2023.

The top Sauvignon blancs were Hoopenberg, The Guru Sauvignon blanc 2023 and Overhex Balance Classic Sauvignon blanc 2024.

Chenin blanc

Chenin blanc was the second-biggest wine class in the tasting. The 2024 vintage revealed a harmonious display of refined elegance. The wines exhibited a meticulous balance of crisp acidity and nuanced aromatics, emphasizing the grape’s versatility. A handful of wines from the 2023 vintage, while displaying a more mature profile, maintained a seriousness that echoed the enduring quality of Chenin blanc. This tasting highlighted the potential for both vintages to contribute to the varietal’s legacy, underscoring the gravity of their craftsmanship and the distinct characteristics of each harvest.

One of the top Chenin blancs was the BC Wines Chenin blanc 2024.

Chardonnay

The unoaked Chardonnays showcased crisp acidity and pure fruit expressions, while their slightly oaked counterparts added subtle complexity with delicate vanilla notes. Both styles displayed meticulous winemaking, highlighting the varietal’s adaptability. This serious examination affirmed the nuanced craftsmanship behind unoaked and lightly oaked Chardonnays, underscoring the importance of restraint and precision in elevating the character of this venerable grape.

We asked the wine tasters, that if they had to choose between a 2024 or 2023 Chardonnay, which they had no clue about in the budget range, which one they would choose. The tasters were adamant that they would prefer the 2023.

The top Chardonnay was the Overhex Wines, Balance Winemkaers Selection Chardonnay.

Rosé / Blanc de noir (BdN)

The Rosé and Blanc de Noir class was the third-biggest white wine class. This year there were again exceptional examples that show why this class is so popular.

The light-hued examples offered crisp notes of green apple and citrus, emphasizing freshness. Deeper-coloured renditions unfolded with nuanced layers of red berries and hints of stone fruit, showcasing complexity. This tasting underscored Blanc de Noir / Rosé’s versatility, as winemakers skillfully harnessed diverse grape expressions to craft a spectrum of flavours ranging from bright and lively to rich and intricate. Overall, the wines offered a good balance of fruitiness and dryness, making them versatile options for various occasions.

The best value Rosé/Blanc de Noir wines was the Calitzdorp Cellar Blanc de Noir Pinotage 2024.

Category preferences for value for money

We asked some of the tasters to rate the following white wine categories, in order of value-for-money, from most value-for-money to least, and this was the result:

• Chenin blanc
• Sauvignon blanc
• Blanc de Noir / Rosé
• Chardonnay
• White blends

Vintage preferences

We asked our tasters, that if they had to choose blindly between Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnays, and they only knew the vintage, if they would choose a 2023 or 2024. The tasters unanimously chose, for both Sauvignon blanc and Chardonnay, the 2023 vintage.

Sauvignon blanc value spending tips.

We asked some of the tasters what factors they would recommend to look at when buying value for money Sauvignon blanc for a picnic that day, and this was the result:

• Area the grapes were grown
• Must be in screwcap
• Must be chilled
• Younger vintage is better
• Beautiful label

Red wine:

Shiraz

Shiraz was the biggest red wine class and the wines were very consistent, with some excellent quality.

At the Shiraz tasting, the tasters delved into the various flavour profiles, and discovered a dynamic range. Some examples exhibited robust notes of blackberry and dark chocolate, delivering a bold and intense experience. Others leaned towards a more nuanced palette, revealing layers of black pepper, leather, and subtle spices. This diverse spectrum underscored Shiraz’s ability to express a broad array of flavours, from powerful and assertive to elegantly intricate, making it a captivating choice for wine enthusiasts seeking various taste experiences.

The 2023 vintage showed very well and was packed with vibrant red fruit, spice, and integrated oak and spice.

Pinotage

Pinotage was the third-biggest red wine class, and a large spectrum of flavour profiles were on display. Some showcased robust notes of dark cherry and plum, offering a rich and concentrated experience. Others revealed a lighter touch with hints of red berries, complemented by earthy undertones and a subtle smokiness. This diversity exemplified Pinotage’s range, providing both bold and nuanced expressions, making it a captivating choice for those seeking different flavours in a red wine.

Cabernet Sauvignon

Merlot

Merlot was the second-biggest red wine category. The wines showcased its reliable profile of velvety textures and approachable elegance. Predominant notes of ripe red berries and plums were consistently well-integrated, reflecting the varietal’s reliable expression. This tasting reaffirmed Merlot’s reputation for delivering wines of consistent and dependable quality, making it a perennial favourite for those seeking approachable, well-crafted red wines.

Tasting the red blends provided a diverse and dynamic exploration of styles. The Bordeaux styled blends presented structured elegance with a harmonious marriage of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other varietals. Meanwhile, Cape blends showcased South Africa’s prowess, blending indigenous and international grapes, resulting in bold and rich profiles. The tasting revealed the beauty of diverse terroir and winemaking techniques, each red blend offering a unique narrative that reflects both tradition and innovation in the world of wine. From Old World sophistication to New World creativity, red blends exemplified the artistry of crafting harmonious and complex wines.

The best value for money red blend was the Slanghoek Private Selection Camerca, 2023

Value for money preferences for red wine.

We asked some of the tasters to rate the red wine types, from most value-for-money to least when buying a value for money red wine at R120.00, and this is the order of importance according to them:

• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bordeaux Blend
• Merlot
• Shiraz
• Other red blends

Smart spending in the wine aisle

We once again asked our tasters what their smart spending tips would be for their best friends, to buy the best wine at the price, and here are some:

• Speak to your wine shop attendants, especially in independently owned shops for advice.
• Know your brands, farm history, and look for accolades
• Look for older Sauvignon blancs
• White blends can be great value for money
• Look for screw cap wine
• Older vintages always good with red wines.

The Top 10 producers were:

This event would not have been possible without our partners:

Details about the 2025 Gold Wine Awards will be announced in the last week of January 2025.

For enquiries, visit the website at https://goldwineawards.com/ or contact Sanet at sanet@goldwineawards.co.za.