Blaauwklippen Hosts the Country’s Most Inspiring Artisan Market

The other finalists to make it to the awards ceremony in order of rank were:

• Second place: Sophie’s Choice (Western Cape)
• Third place: VATS (Gauteng)
• Fourth place: Fae-Bulous Wine Club (Gauteng)

A total of 78 entries were received for this year’s annual Blaauwklippen Blending Competition. Celebrating 41 year of the art of wine blending wine clubs from all over the country submitted their blends, but it was The Dorstige Dertigs Wyn Klub from the Western Cape who took home top honours.

Open to all aspiring winemakers this competition is there to encourage wine enthusiasts to create a winning blend.

For this year’s competition, the brief was to create a serious Bordeaux style blend with components from a very challenging 2023 vintage. Blenders received four wines (1 x Cabernet franc, 1 x Malbec, 1 x Merlot, 1 x Petit Verdot) and all four components had to be used in the final blend. A maximum 65 % of each Cultivar, with a minimum of 5% of each component had to be included in the blend.

The winning blend comprised 45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot, 9% Malbec and 6% Petit Verdot. This blend was masterfully blended with floral cassis notes, supported by nuances of fruitcake, plum and dark chocolate. Fresh textured tannins give way to a juicy mid palate and a plush aromatic finish. Enjoy with friends now, or cellar for 15 to 20 years.

The judging panel was chaired by Blaauwklippen winemaker, Narina Cloete, who was joined by Clive Torr, Guy MacDonald, Helena Melis and Alastair Rimmer.

For this year’s competition, the challenge is to create a serious Bordeaux style blend with components from a very challenging 2023 vintage

Blenders will receive 4 wines (1 x Cabernet franc, 1 x Malbec, 1 x Merlot, 1 x Petit Verdot) and all 4 components must be used in the final blend. A maximum 65 % of each Cultivar may be used and a minimum of 5% of each component must be included in the blend.

More detail will be included in the tasting kit.

To enter: Simply purchase your Blending Entry & tasting kit online and you are ready to get going. Please enter your club name under “notes” at the check-out. A club member can only be competing with one club, not multiple clubs. No winemakers are allowed to enter.

SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE!
Each team can post blending pictures on social media and use the following tags:
#blendcomp2025
#BBC42
@blaauwklippenKitchen

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.