Investec Investec Focus Radio SA

Wine in Focus | Inside the judging room: How wines win

Loading player...
Ever wondered what actually happens behind closed doors at a wine competition? How do judges decide what makes a wine exceptional and what separates a gold medal from the rest?
In this episode of Wine in Focus, Palesa Mapheelle is joined by local wine doyenne, Michael Fridjhon and Wine Master and international judge, Heidi Makinen.
Together, they explain the rigorous judging process of the Investec Trophy Wine Show, what they look for in a winning wine, how to navigate judges’ disagreements and the importance of wine competitions to the local wine industry.
KEY MOMENTS:
00:00: Intro
00:38: Recognising the devastating storms suffered by the Western Cape winelands
01:47: Why are competitions necessary?
03:23: Comparing Investec Trophy Wine Show to other international competitions
04:26: Shaping consumer perceptions
05:43: The mechanics of judging
09:09: Judge’s chemistry
10:07: Explaining a flight of wines
10:34: Finding consensus between judges
13:47: Ensuring judge neutrality
15:14: The importance of blind tasting
18:00: What makes a winning wine?
20:20: SA wine industry transformation over 25 years: from bulk to beautiful
23:13: The Investec Trophy wine show “guarantee”
24:33: When wine turns from interest into a passion and a career
27:00: Outro
Chapters
  • 00:00 Intro
  • 00:38 Recognising the devastating storms suffered by the Western Cape winelands
  • 01:47 Why are competitions necessary?
  • 03:23 Comparing Investec Trophy Wine Show to other international competitions
  • 04:26 Shaping consumer perceptions
  • 05:43 The mechanics of judging
  • 09:09 Judge’s chemistry
  • 10:07 Explaining a flight of wines
  • 10:34 Finding consensus between judges
  • 13:47 Ensuring commercial interests don't influence judging
  • 15:14 The importance of blind tasting
  • 18:00 What makes a winning wine?
  • 20:20 SA wine industry transformation over 25 years: from bulk to beautiful
  • 23:13 The Investec Trophy Wine Show's guarantee
  • 24:33 When the wine-bug bites
  • 27:00 Outro
20 May English South Africa Business · Investing

Other recent episodes

No Ordinary Wednesday | South Africa’s race to get connected

South Africa’s digital infrastructure is expanding rapidly, from data centres and fibre networks to satellites. But can the country provide the power, capital and regulatory certainty needed to turn digital investment into lasting growth? On No Ordinary Wednesday, Jeremy Maggs speaks to Investec CIB’s Louise Pillay, a telecoms and media…
23 Sep 19 min

Investec Minds Ep 4: Chris Griffith on leading mining through crisis

In conversation with Head of Investec Equity Research Nkateko Mathonsi, former Gold Fields CEO Chris Griffith reflects on the high-stakes decisions that shaped his mining career, from investing through downturns to balancing business survival with its human cost. In this episode: 00:00: Introduction 01:08: A $1bn ambition for Africa 02:28:…
21 Sep 32 min

Macro Monday ep 132: Central banks on a hiking path

The Fed hiked rates last week amid resilient economic growth and higher inflation, much of it due to higher fuel prices at the pump, while the Bank of Japan also increased borrowing costs, with more likely to come. South Africa’s Reserve Bank is likely to follow suit this week, as…
21 Sep 6 min

Macro Monday Ep131: Fed meets as oil prices rise

Gains by Houthi rebels in recent days have placed further upward pressure on oil prices, with benchmark rates up about 3% on Monday morning, while bond yields have risen since the start of the war. Against this backdrop, the Fed meets this week to decide on interest rates, and, according…
14 Sep 8 min

No Ordinary Wednesday | The signals from oil, bonds and inflation

Oil, bond yields and inflation are sending a more cautious signal on the global outlook. Growth has held up better than expected. But energy markets remain tight, long-term borrowing costs are rising, and central banks are weighing the risk of another inflation shock. In the latest No Ordinary Wednesday, Ellie…
8 Sep 17 min
All episodes