Set up and organised by the world's leading authority on champagne, Tom Stevenson, the competition has attracted some of the most prestigious names in wine from around the world.
The Paarl-based winery won not only Best South African Sparkling Wine overall, but also the trophies for Best Blanc de Blanc MCC and Best Organic MCC.
The Avondale Armilla MCC Blanc de Blanc 2009 is made from organically grown Chardonnay grapes. The grapes were carefully handled throughout the winemaking process and very little sulphur was added at any stage. Once the wine was bottled for its second fermentation, it was left on the lees for a full five years before being released in September last year. This extended lees contact has given the wine richness and complexity whilst still retaining its natural acidity and freshness.
Avondale's owner, Johnathan Grieve, said: "We're tremendously excited about this new creation. All the threads that represent Avondale at its most excellent are evident here: the influence of the stars; a hand-crafted style; limited volume; and, the use of naturally organic processes."
The CSWWC is a niche competition attracting some of the biggest names in the world of sparkling wines. Organised by Tom Stevenson, the world's foremost authority on champagne and judged by him along with Essi Avellan MW and Dr Tony Jordan, it is the first and only terroir-driven competition judged exclusively by internationally renowned champagne and sparkling wine experts. Open to effervescing wines of every style produced anywhere on the planet, all wines entered into the CSWWC are judged blind and evaluated strictly within the context of their origin and style.
Avondale is a 300-year-old, family-run farm situated on Lustigan Road, Klein Drakenstein, Paarl - on the slopes of the Klein Drakenstein Mountains. For more information, go to www.avondalewine.co.za. The Avondale Tasting Gallery is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am. Learn more from Johnathan Grieve's blog at www.biologicwine.co.za.
