Muskadel SA Awards 2024 honours an impressive 16 winners

South African wine lovers will be pleased to hear that 16 South African muscadel producers were named winners in this prestigious wine awards event. The 2024 Muskadel SA Awards was held on Thursday, 6 June 2024, at Noop Restaurant in Paarl, awarding six platinum and ten gold awards. Sponsored by Vinochem, the 19th annual Muskadel SA Awards showcased the finest muscadel wines in the country.

High standards and remarkable entries

The judging panel, led by Jaco Potgieter, winemaker of Douglas Green Wines, noted the exceptional quality of entries across all categories. Potgieter expressed delight in the high number and outstanding quality of older vintages. “These older muscadel wines have developed beautifully, which is a proud achievement that the South African wine industry should embrace and promote,” said Potgieter.

The panel also included renowned wine experts: Cape Wine Master Raymond Noppé, Melissa Rhode (wine sourcing manager of Heineken Beverages), Anton Swarts (Cape Wine Master and winemaker of Spier Wine Farm), and Hermias Volgraaff (winemaker of Montagu Wines). Wines were tasted blind and judged using a tried-and-tested point system, with packaging distinctiveness contributing to the final scores.

Platinum wine award winners

Five producers received a total of six platinum awards, recognising their exceptional contributions to the muscadel wine industry:

• Mont Blois Estate Muskadel Harpie 2016
• Mont Blois Estate Muskadel Pomphuis 2017
• Nuy Barbieri Idro Rooi Muskadel 2016
• Thelema Gargantua NV
• The Saldanha Wine and Spirits Co. Hanepoot 2014
• Badsberg Hanepoot Jerepigo 2023

Gold wine award winners

Eight producers received a total of ten gold awards, highlighting their consistent excellence:

• Du Toitskloof Hanepoot Jerepigo 2021
• Du Toitskloof Red Muscadel 2020
• Klawer Cellars White Muscadel 2020
• Klawer Cellars Red Muscadel 2021
• Le Grand Chasseur Habata White Muscadel 2020
• Clairevaux Red Muscadel 2023
• Aan de Doorns Muscadel Sweet Red 2021
• Montagu Winery White Muscadel 2024
• Orange River Cellars White Muscadel 2023
• Constantia Uitsig Gravita 2020

From the Muskadel SA headquarters

Muskadel SA, comprising wineries and individuals dedicated to promoting top-quality fortified muscadel wines, recognises the muscat grape family’s international appeal.

According to Henri Swiegers, chairman of Muskadel SA, the quality and number of entries reflect a promising future for South African Muscadel. “We saw more entries this year, which benefits both consumption and the continued existence of muscadel, even if consumers only enjoy it occasionally,” said Swiegers.

Supporting muscadel to reach a wider market

Vinochem's sponsorship of the Muskadel SA Wine Awards for the second year underscores the importance of promoting South African muscadel wines. "South African muscadel wines are some of the best-fortified wines in the world and should receive more recognition,” said Marlee Malan of Vinochem. “We trust that our support will enable our muscadel producers to reach a wider market. We encourage consumers to try these winning muscats, identifiable by the gold or platinum Muskadel SA stickers on the bottle.”

For more information, contact Henri Swiegers at 082 829 6010 or winemaker@badsberg.co.za.