Celebration fires are burning high at KWV following another incredible performance in a global wine competition, this time at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 (DWWA). KWV is exceptionally proud that its wines secured multiple medals from Decanter, a competition regarded as the “largest and most influential” of its kind. Notably, KWV is honoured to announce that two of its wines secured a Decanter Platinum medal, reserved for wines that scored 97 or more out of a possible 100. In total, KWV secured no less than 15 medals in the 90+ score range.

This announcement comes on the heels of the Concours Mondiall de Bruxelles 2021 competition, where KWV’s The Mentors Perold 2018 was awarded the ultimate Revelations Trophy for the best wine in the South African category – the only wine from South Africa to claim this award. KWV’s performance in the DWWA is equally impressive: only nine wines from South Africa managed to secure a Platinum medal, with KWV taking home two of these for a rating of 97/100 for The Mentors Perold 2017 as well as its Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019. This during a year when the competition saw its biggest year to date, with 18 094 wines tasted from 56 countries.

“Once again South Africa’s signature grape is doing us proud,” said The Mentors winemaker, Izele van Blerk, “to have this kind of global recognition, back-to-back for The Mentors Perold, (a Cape-based blend with Pinotage as the leading component) is testament to the consistency we strive for at KWV, and we couldn’t be happier.”

Described as “a really sophisticated offering” by the Decanter judges, the Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019 is testament to the care the KWV wine team takes in ensuring quality across the board. Seen against the backdrop of the other Platinum winners from South Africa, this wine is sure to delight: at less than R100.00 per bottle – more than R200 less than its nearest rival on the list – it illustrates the value to be found from this established South African producer.

KWV’s Chief Winemaker, Justin Corrans, and Lead Winemaker for Cathedral Cellar, commented: “Cathedral Cellar is an expression of the best grapes from various vineyard sites across the Western Cape. Therefore, the Cathedral Cellar Sauvignon Blanc 2019 showcases an exceptional vintage, but it also illustrates the incredible quality of South Africa’s grapes and our fine terroir – it is Africa’s raw beauty extracted and presented in a glass, and we are so proud that international judges in a respected competition like Decanter recognised and awarded this beauty in the way they did!”

Beauty that is also well-represented in the no less than 13 KWV wines that were awarded scores of 90 and more. In addition to KWV’s phenomenal Platinum performance, KWV also secured 5 Gold medals (for wines that scored 95 and 96 out of a possible 100). These are: The Mentors Chenin Blanc 2019, The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2018, The Mentors Pinotage 2018, The Mentors Canvas 2018 and Laborie Blanc de Blanc 2015.

For wines scored between 90 and 94, KWV was awarded 8 Silver medals for: The Mentors Orchestra 2018, The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2018, The Mentors Perold 2018, Cathedral Cellar Shiraz 2018, Cathedral Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Roodeberg Dr Charles Niehaus 2018, Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay 2020 and The Mentors Petit Verdot 2018.

Said Corrans: “KWV’s performance at this year’s Decanter speaks volumes of the dedication and passion found in our cellars. It is our goal to provide our consumers with exceptional quality wines, wine they can delight in whether at a celebratory brunch, an afternoon braai or a formal dinner – the high scores from Decanter for wines in various KWV ranges indicate that KWV really strives to make every moment special.”

Full awards and scores from DWWA 2021: