Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show returns to The Grande Roche

The Grande Roche Hotel, Paarl will be host to the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show for the 10th year, with judging of the selected wines starting on the morning of 9 May and concluding on 12 May, 2011.

As part of the process, over 6000 bottles of wine are held in temperature-controlled storage at the hotel in readiness for the judging.

The show recognises and rewards top local wines and winemakers in South Africa, with both South African and international judges subjecting wines to rigourous scrutiny.

"The past decade has seen extraordinary changes at the top end of the South African wine industry. The Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show plays an important role in discovering new talent and showcasing this achievement", said Michael Fridjhon, chairman of the judging panel.

New award

In honour of the Grande Roche Hotel's role in the staging of the show, a new award - the Grande Roche White Blend Trophy - will be added to this year's judging category.

"The Grande Roche has always taken great pride in its reputable top-class wine selection. To have an Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show award named after our hotel is a great honour and something that we are very proud of," said Grande Roche's GM, Anja Bosken.

Executive chef Roland Gorgosolich will be preparing several dinners for the show's judges at the hotel's Bosmans Restaurant, including the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show gala dinner on 11 May, in honour of the judging panel.

Results of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show 2011 will be released on 1 June. The top-rated wines will then be taken on a country-wide series of tastings so that South African wine enthusiasts will be able to experience the top wines for 2011.

For more information on the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, go to www.trophywineshow.co.za