Judging the Fine Wine Awards

Judging

2025 Panel Members:

Wayve Kolevsohn, Tarryn Vincent, Cathy van Zyl MW, Janine van Zyl, Clive Torr, Claude Felbert, Colin Collard, Samarie Smith, Rene Groenewald CWM, Joseph Dafana, Heidi Duminy CWM & Irina Botha.

Judging Process

All wines will be blind tasted by an independent panel of judges.

The international 100-point system is used.

Medals/Stickers will be awarded as follows:

Cathy van Zyl - Fine Wine Awards
Janine van Zyl - Fine Wine Awards

  • Trophy Award: Top-scoring wine in class

  • Gold: 95+ points

  • Silver: 90 to 94 points

  • Bronze: 85 to 89 points

Wines will be judged in accordance with the variety or type (class) to which it belongs and in which it has been entered.

The international 100-point system is used.

Below are the categories that will be tasted:

  • Bordeaux Red Blends

  • Cabernet Franc

  • Cabernet Sauvignon

  • Cap Classique

  • Chardonnay

  • Chenin Blanc

  • Champagne

  • Dry White Blends

  • Merlot

  • Non-Bordeaux Red Blends

  • Pinotage

  • Rose

  • Sauvignon Blanc

  • Shiraz

  • Sweet / Semi Sweet / Off Dry

  • Unusual Red Varietals

  • Unusual White Varietals

  • Port

All wines will be tasted blind. The judging process is audited by independent auditors, Moore South Africa.