As Duimpie Bayly, one of the 2009 panel selection members, comments: “When it comes to wine, consumers in South Africa are spoilt for choice. The distinctive ‘sold at the Nederburg Auction' sticker serves as an additional unique selling point, giving these wines a competitive advantage that certainly enhances shelf appeal from a quality and endorsement point of view.”
The auction, which takes place from 11 - 12 September 2009, provides the ideal platform for South African winemakers and estates to showcase their talents. And, as in previous years, this year's participants include numerous award-winners.
At the prestigious 2009 Concours du Bruxelles, Guy Webber of Stellenzicht scooped a gold medal - his third gold award this year - for the Semillon Reserve 2006, while at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, Johan Malan, cellar master at Simonsig, won trophies for the best White Wine Overall and the Best Chenin Blanc (Woolworths Limited Release Chenin Blanc 2008) and Johan Joubert of Kleine Zalze took home the trophies for Best Cabernet Sauvignon, Best Shiraz and Best Red Wine Overall.
The recent Decanter World Wine Awards in London saw Kaapzicht win the South African Red Single Varietal over £10 Trophy, while Tokara Winery took home a total of 10 medals, including gold, for the Walker Bay Chardonnay 2007 and Zondernaam Sauvignon Blanc 2008. Welbedacht, home of Schalk Burger and sons and a new participant at this year's auction, won the coveted Trophy Award in the category of Best Red Blend for Southern African Wines (Hat Trick 2006).
2009 has proven to be a great year so far for Allesverloren, which recently took top honours at the Vinordic Wine Challenge in Sweden - its 2005 Fine Old Vintage was named the Best Overall Value Fortified Wine - as well as host, Nederburg, which was rated the most successful wine producer on the prestigious Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show for the second time in succession, and earned the top score worldwide on the 2009 Syrah.
Other top-notch wines on auction include the Laszlo 2004 special release signature blend from Fleur du Cap, which was awarded double gold at the 2008 Veritas Awards, and Kanu's 2004 Chenin Blanc Wooded, which received three-and-a-half stars in the February 2008 edition of Wine magazine and was also in the final 10 of the 2008 Wine Magazine Chenin Blanc Challenge. The Rozier Bay Chardonnay 2004 from Mount Rozier won a double gold at the 2005 Veritas Awards and in the same year was awarded gold for Best in its Class at the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
On the sweeter side, Neethlingshof's inimitable Lord Neethling Weisser Riesling Noble Late Harvest 2004 was awarded gold at the 2005 Veritas Awards, while the illustrious Nederburg Edelkeur, the first of its kind in South Africa and created by one of the country's greatest winemakers, Günter Brözel, has won a total of 14 gold medals at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition and still fetches some of the highest prices for white wine in South Africa. The 1979, 1996 and 2002 vintages will be on auction this year with an offering of 35, 14 and 43 cases of 12 x 375 ml bottles respectively.
Full details of all the wines on auction appear in the Nederburg Auction catalogue, also available for viewing and download in electronic format on the official website www.nederburgauction.co.za.
