Tonight saw the much anticipated Platter’s South African Wine Guide 2017 5 Star award winners announced in Cape Town. In all, 94 wines were rewarded with 5 Stars after an extensive sighted and then blind tasting process. 

94 might seem a high number of 5 Star awards in comparison to previous years results, but when the industry is awash with so many fantastic new wines and wineries, and so many specific wines from the epic 2015 vintage, it’s no real surprise numbers are way up.

Of course, consumers will ultimately be the ones who decide whether or not these wines are worthy or not, and how quickly many of them now sell out, if they haven’t done so already, will be the greatest proof of consumer recognition.

Reading through the list, I calculated that I have bought approximate 1/3 of the 5 Star awarded wines for Handford Wines. Not a bad hit rate I’d say. Many are still enroute to the UK,  but some are sold out already.

Congratulations to all the winemakers and winery owners involved. Persistent striving for quality will always eventually be recognised. 

WINERY OF THE YEAR
 – Nederburg Wines

RED WINE OF THE YEAR
 – The Winery of Good Hope Black Rock 2014

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR
 – Stellenrust 51 Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc 2015

DESSERT WINE OF THE YEAR
 – Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines Straw Wine 2015

For full results and analysis from SA journalist Angela Lloyd, follow this link:

https://outofthepress.wordpress.com/2016/10/31/platter-2017/