Excellent wines from Michelangelo

Die Michelangelo International Wine & Spitits Awards are unique in South Africa in that only internationally accredited wine judges serve on the judging panels. Over the past 16 years, more than 160 experts from over 36 different countries have served on Michelangelo's judging panels. Judges are carefully selected from around the world for their international experience, judging expertise, as well as credibility, and include representatives from across the industry such as oenologists, wine buyers, sommeliers, as well as wine journalists. Over the years, this has ensured good publicity for the award-winning wines worldwide, with articles about Michelangelo's winners appearing every year in the electronic media and international consumer magazines as far afield as Northern Europe, South America, Japan and India, among others.  
Owner and director of the company, Lorraine Immelmann, founded the company in 1997, recognizing the need for South African wines to be judged by international experts and wine industry professionals in South Africa - the Michelangelo International Wine Awards were born.
The main focus here is to annually identify the wines that could position themselves well on the world markets. As a result, Michelangelo has served local producers as a guide for their exports for years.

OIV Rating System

Michelangelo has adapted the international 100-point scoring system of the OIV (International Organisation of Vine and Wine). This system is considered extremely accurate, as each participation is evaluated according to its varietal characteristics based on appearance, smell as well as taste. Michelangelo receives remarkable support from local producers (and increasingly from international producers) and is also considered one of South Africa's top wine competitions thanks to its high credibility and transparency. Producers who enter their wines for participation appreciate the neutrality of the international judging panel, as well as the fact that wines receive international recognition after being judged by the competition, including in their respective countries.

Challenge at new levels

Currently, a total of 15 trophies are awarded in a variety of different categories:

CCL Label Grand Prix Trophy
Tonnelleri de Mercurey Trophy for the Best Bordeaux Blend, sponsored by RX Group
Best International Entry Trophy
RX South Africa Trophy for the Most Innovative Wine
Best Organic Wine Trophy
Best Garagiste Entry Trophy
Sue van Wyk Pinotage Trophy
ToneleriaNaçional Trophy for Best Coffee/Mocha Style Pinotage
Grotto Top Producer Trophy
Golden Oldie Trophy
Michelangelo Brandy Trophy
AfriRackBest Dessert Wine Trophy
Best Fairtrade Red Wine Trophy sponsored by Pick & Pay
Best Fairtrade White Wine Trophy sponsored by Pick & Pay
African Cellar Suppliers Trophy for Best MCC