RAY SMUTS THE Stellenbosch wine region raked in nine of South Africa’s 13 gold medals at London’s International Wine Challenge 2006 – the world’s largest blind-tasting contest – but the country fared less well against major competitors, given that 585 wines were entered from the Fairest Cape. France and Australia walked away with 50 golds apiece, followed by Portugal (43) Austria (17) and New Zealand (14).
