Domaine des Dieux Achieves Historic Feat at Amorim Cap Classique Challenge with Third Best Producer Award
In a triumphant moment, Domaine des Dieux, the boutique Cap Classique specialist nestled in the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge appellation near Hermanus, has secured its place in the records of the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge by clinching the prestigious Best Producer trophy for the third time in eight years. At the 21st edition of the Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, held on September 22 at Tintswalo Atlantic in Cape Town, the Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2016 was crowned as the ultimate standout from among the 126 entries in this year’s competition.
This achievement adds to Domaine des Dieux’s prior wins of the Best Producer award in 2014 and 2018, reinforcing their position as a leading force in the world of Cap Classique.
Dedicated exclusively to honoring the finest Cap Classique wines in the country, the competition has been organized under the guidance of the Cap Classique Producers Association and sponsored by global cork company Amorim since 2002.
In addition to the coveted Best Producer Trophy, Domaine des Dieux earned two gold medals, both for its Claudia Brut. The 2015 vintage received gold in the Brut category, while the Claudia Brut 2008 secured gold in the Extended Aging Class for wines aged eight years or more.
Claudia is an elegant blend of the classic Cap Classique varieties, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The top-scoring Cap Classique from Domaine des Dieux led the Brut wine category within the competition. Constantia Uitsig MCC 2018 was honored with the Best Blanc de Blancs trophy, and Newstead, a stalwart from Plettenberg Bay, excelled in the Extended Aging class with its Blanc de Blancs 2015. Simonsig Estate from Stellenbosch claimed two triumphs, winning Best Rosé with the Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2020 and Best Nectar with the Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2020.
Joaquim Sá, Managing Director of Amorim Cork South Africa and a co-founder of the Cap Classique Challenge, emphasized that Domaine des Dieux’s consistent success underscores the competition’s pivotal role in recognizing excellence within the Cap Classique realm.
“While the emergence of new and unfamiliar wineries is always captivating in the Cap Classique competition, the consistent excellence displayed by Domaine des Dieux, winning the Best Producer title three times in eight years, acts as a benchmark for building a reputation of greatness,” Sá commented.
He further highlighted the integral role that image and reputation play in shaping the Cap Classique category. This segment has made significant strides over the past two decades, establishing itself as a contender against the world’s finest bottle-fermented sparkling wines.
Sá lauded Cap Classique as one of South Africa’s most popular premium wine categories, with annual sales nearing 11 million bottles. He attributed this popularity to the combination of product excellence, diversity, and innovative marketing strategies that portray these wines as integral to a fashionable lifestyle.
The 2022 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge awarded the Frans Malan Legacy Trophy to Jeff Grier, proprietor and winemaker of Villiera, for his significant role in advancing and expanding the Cap Classique category.
The judging panel for this year’s Amorim Challenge was led by Heidi Duminy, a Cape Wine Master. Assisting her were wine educator Cathy Marston, and winemakers Morgan Steyn (De Grendel), Johan Fourie (Benguela Cove), and Nathan Valentine (Villiera), along with wine service ambassador Spencer Fondaumiere. Tarryn Vincent from Reciprocal served as an associate judge.
Double Gold and Gold Medals
Blanc de Blancs
- Double Gold Constantia Uitsig MCC 2018
- JC le Roux Scintilla 2015
- Louisvale MCC Brut NV
- Gold Laborie Blanc de Blancs 2016
- Darling Cellars Darling Cellars Blanc de Blancs Brut 2019
- De Wetshof Blanc de Blancs 2020
- Pongrácz Blanc de Blancs NV
Brut Blends
- Double Gold Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2016
- Gold Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2015
- Babylonstoren Sprankel 2017
- Il Geco CC 2017
- De Grendel Brut 2018
- Benguela Cove Joie de Vivre Brut Cap Classique 2018
Rosé
- Gold Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2020
- Graham Beck Pinot Rosé (Magnum) 2017
- Graham Beck NV Brut Rosé
- Anthonij Rupert Wyne NV L’Ormarins Brut Classique Rosé
Nectar
- Gold Simonsig Kaapse Vonkel Satin Nectar Rosé 2020
Extended Aging
- Double Gold Newstead Blanc de Blancs 2015
- Gold Domaine des Dieux Claudia Brut Cap Classique 2009
- Twee Jonge Gezellen Krone 2012
- Anthonij Rupert Wyne L’Ormarins Private Cuvee 2014
