The Lourensford Estate Limited Release Chardonnay 2016 has been awarded Best South African White Wine of Show at Mundus Vini The Grand International Wine Award held at ProWein, Germany. This is the 2nd time Lourensford has achieved this prestigious award, following the success of the 2015 vintage in 2016.
Lourensford General Manager Koos Jordaan said that to receive global recognition for this exceptional wine from a certified single vineyard is a culmination of hard work and dedication by the vineyard and winemaking team.
“ProWein is the world’s leading trade fair for wine and spirits and the largest industry meeting for professionals from viticulture, production, trade and gastronomy. Being recognized with this Mundus Vini means we can compare ourselves to the best in the world,” said Jordaan. “The Limited Release Chardonnay is also our first wine that was accredited by the Cape Vintners Classification (CVC), which underlines the CVC’s objective to enhance South Africa’s reputation as a producer of world-class wines and to promote the Cape’s distinctive site-specific wines.”
Lourensford Cellarmaster Hannes Nel said unusual weather conditions had contributed to the exceptional quality of the Lourensford Estate Limited Release Chardonnay 2016.
“The 2016 vintage was characterised by a severe drought and high summer temperatures, resulting in much faster ripening and the earliest recorded harvest in Lourensford’s history,” explained Nel. “But the vines were healthy and in good balance, while the berries were small and concentrated. Ideal for producing a refined and elegant wine.”
The success at Mundus Vini is the latest in a series of awards for the Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay both locally and internationally. The 2015 vintage was one of only three South African wines to receive a Grand Gold Medal at Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and more Gold followed at the International Wine and Spirit Competition, London. It was also ranked one of the Top 100 SA Wines in 2016.
The Lourensford Limited Release Chardonnay 2016 is available for tastings at the estate’s winery, open Monday to Sunday 9am until 5pm.