The celebrated Stellenbosch winery that spearheaded a Pinotage revolution in 1994 by releasing South Africa’s very first Cape Blend is once again among the champions of this year’s Perold Absa Cape Blend Competition.
Indeed, it has been an exceptional year for Simonsig, which has marked several prominent milestones. These include the 50th anniversary of its Kaapse Vonkel – the wine that pioneered South African Cap Classique; and, the 50th anniversary of the country’s first wine route in Stellenbosch, co-established by Simonsig Estate founder and Malan Family patriarch, Frans Malan.
Now with the release of the Cape Blend Competition results last week, the judges panel included among its final Top Five, the winery’s Frans Malan 2017.
Today, the term Cape Blend is regulated, and the style refers to wines of which the dominant component is Pinotage. The variety was developed in South Africa in the 1920s and is now perennially celebrated on October 9 – International Pinotage Day. The Perold Absa Cape Blend Competition annually seeks to recognise the best expressions of these wines.
The victory of the Frans Malan 2017 follows a similar achievement by the wine’s highly praised 2015 vintage, which was also a Top Five winner.
Pinotage has a very long record at Simonsig. The first Pinotage was planted here in the late 1960s. When the winery started bottling its first wine in 1968, the Simonsig Pinotage was the lead red wine to be released with the 1970 vintage.
The weight of this experience means Simonsig Pinotage is no stranger to success. Its Redhill Pinotage has been one of the top three performers at the ABSA Top 10 Pinotage awards with seven winners in this hotly contested competition. The latest was the Redhill 2017 vintage while the 2018 vintage was a finalist in the Top 20 wines.
The Frans Malan 2017 is available to buy online, along with the rest of Simonsig’s extensive portfolio, via the winery website.
For more information, visit www.simonsig.co.za
ISSUED BY: MANLEYSOCIAL
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