Reaffirming Franschhoek-based La Motte wine estate’s status as a producer of fine wines, its 2013 Pierneef Syrah Viognier has collected the 2015 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Competition’s trophy for Best South African Wine. The competition results were announced at the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirit Fair on Thursday, 5 November. “This, is a wonderful acknowledgement of our focus and dedication – making wines that showcase the diversity and beauty of South African terroir in a style that is complex, yet elegant. This recognition also serves as motivation to continuously focus on the potential of the Asian market”, says La Motte CEO, Hein Koegelenberg. Following on the exceptional performance of prior vintages, the 2013 Pierneef Syrah Viognier can now add this remarkable title to being listed as one of the Top 100 Wines in South Africa, coveted gold medals in the Concours International de Lyon competition, China Wine & Spirit Awards and the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show as well as a platinum rating in the SA Wine Index.

The extraordinary performance of the estate’s premium Pierneef Collection also acknowledges the success of introducing cool climate styles to its portfolio. The limited volume 2013 Pierneef Syrah Viognier is made from grapes obtained from site-specific vineyards grown predominantly in the cooler South Coast region. A blend of 90% Shiraz from the Walker Bay (65%) and Elim (35%) areas as well as 10% Viognier from Franschhoek, the 2013 vintage of this Southern Rhône-style red blend offers good colour, tight, concentrated tannins and a distinct spiciness. The result is a wine full of flavour and complexity but with a certain elegance and finesse typical of a cool climate South African Syrah. Syrah grapes from the various vineyards were harvested at different times, but always with some Viognier. Grapes were hand-sorted and fermented without stems. Wine was matured in 300-litre French oak barrels (70% new) for 14 months before blending and went back into the barrels for another 4 months thereafter.

12 000 x 6 were bottled. 2013 Pierneef Syrah Viognier is available at the La Motte tasting room at R230 per bottle. More information in the name and label artwork A tribute to South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef (1886 – 1957), famous for his mastership in portraying the unadorned beauty of the South African landscape and architecture, each new release in the Pierneef range reflects a different piece of Pierneef art on its label. Featuring linocut artworks by Pierneef on the front label, the association with the artistry of wine making as well as the estate’s longstanding involvement with art and its passion for the preservation of the country’s art heritage, is strong. Each artwork on the label is accompanied by its original title and Pierneef’s signature and each vintage see the release of six different linocut artworks – essentially six different labels. This means that each six-bottle presentation of the Pierneef Collection will offer a collection of different artworks selected for that specific vintage.

The Pierneef linocut artworks used in the new design elements are from a collection bought by the late Dr. Anton Rupert for his daughter and owner of La Motte, Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg. best buy red wine australiaOne of only ten sets of the Pierneef linocuts printed, the collection exhibited in all the visitors’ areas on La Motte consists of 128 pieces with the principle themes; best type of wine on a dietSouth African landscapes (including Cape Winelands landscapes and Cape Dutch Architecture) and tree studies.good red wine for casual drinking The initial permission for the use of the Pierneef art on the labels of La Motte’s premium wine range resulted in a friendship between Pierneef’s daughter, Marita Bailey, based in the UK, and Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and her husband, Hein Koegelenberg, CEO of La Motte. best wine 2015 south africa

It was also this friendship that initiated the return of JH Pierneef’s treasured private collection to South Africa and the La Motte Museum. or call +27 (0)21 876 8000.top wine producing states in usaChampagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2015best white wine to drink with italian food Champagne Roederer�s Cristal Ros� 2004 is the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships� 2015 Supreme World Champion. There were 11 national champions and Trentodoc producer Ferrari collected a new award for Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year in recognition of the company�s achievement in collecting nine gold medals and seven best in class awards for its nine entries. Additionally, Cuvage Ros� from Piemonte received the Chairman�s Trophy, awarded this year for the most exciting classic brut-style sparkling wine produced from an indigenous variety (Nebbiolo).

The awards were announced by competition founder Tom Stevenson and fellow judge master of wine, Essi Avellan.The 11 outstanding national champions were chosen from more than 100 Best in Class sparkling wines. They are:� Best Australian Sparkling Wine 2015 - House of Arras 2005 Grand Vintage Brut;� Best Canadian Sparkling Wine 2015 - Trius NV Brut;� Best English Sparkling Wine 2015 - Nyetimber 2010 Classic Cuv�e;� Best French Sparkling Wine 2015 - Louis Roederer 2004 Cristal Ros�;� Best German Sparkling Wine 2015 - Solter 2009 Rheingau Riesling Sekt R�serve Brut;� Best Italian Sparkling Wine 2015 - Ferrari Perl� 2006 Trentodoc in magnum; � Best New Zealand Sparkling Wine 2015 - Hunter�s 2010 Mirumiru Reserve;� Best Serbian Sparkling Wine 2015 - Trijumf 2009 Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut;� Best South African Sparkling Wine 2015 - Avondale 2009 Armilla Blanc de Blanc Brut;� Best Spanish Sparkling Wine 2015 - Segura Viudas NV Reserva Heredad Pinot Noir;� Best US Sparkling Wine 2015 - Caraccioli Cellars 2007 Brut.Before presenting Nyetimber with their award