SAA announces annual wine awards

Cape Town - South African Airways (SAA) announced its annual Wine of the Year Awards at a gala dinner held at the Southern Sun Cape Sun hotel.

The awards were made in four categories: white wines, red wines, Cape Tawny and Méthode Cap Classique wines. The CEO’s Award and the Chairperson’s Award for the most exceptional wines of the year were also presented.
 
The winners were as follows:

- Wine of the Year (Méthode Cap Classique): Simonsig Estate, Kaapse Vonkel Brut, Pinot Noir/Chardonnay/Pinot Meunier (NV);
- Wine of the Year (white): Bayede Marketing, King Shaka Chenin Blanc 2015;
- Wine of the Year (red): Overhex Private Cellar, Survivor Red Blend Fairtrade 2015;
- Cape Tawny Award: KWV South Africa, KWV Cape Tawny;
- CEO’s Award (most listings): Overhex Private Cellar (9 listings);
- Chairperson’s Award (The most wine in litres): Overhex Private Cellar, 105,344 litres.
 
In addition to presenting these annual awards, the airline announced the selection of locally produced wines that will be served on its flights and in its business class lounges over the next 12 months.
 
Winemakers from across the country submit wines for consideration every year. Each entry is scored after a blind tasting and the results are compiled by both internal and external auditors. The airline selects 24 white and 24 red wines from more than 500 submissions. Different wines from the annual selection are allocated for service on board on a month-to-month basis.  
 
“Our South African wine selection is fundamental to our passengers’ flying experience and is a unique added value,” says Kim Thipe, SAA’s head of marketing. “It is an important aspect of marketing our product offering to passengers worldwide.”
 
Nine local judges and three international judges were responsible for this year’s selection.