News
Cathedral Cellar unveils new packaging in US- Chardonnay Wins Major World Wine Award
03/01/06
Phase-in of wines in new packaging begins in US with 2001 Shiraz. 2003 Chardonnay is Decanter Magazine (UK) 2005 International Trophy Winner – worldwide, the best Chardonnay under ₤10 
Customers looking for Cathedral Cellar wines in the US will begin seeing the brand in its sharp, new packaging. The 2001 Shiraz is the first to be available in the new packaging, with the rest of the range, including Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, to be phased in over the next few months. 
Cathedral Cellar, named after KWV’s famous, barrel-vaulted maturation cellar in Paarl, is one of the most internationally awarded premium South African brands on the market. The news of the packaging upgrade comes just a few months after the 2003 Cathedral Cellar Chardonnay was awarded an International Trophy in Decanter Magazine’s November 2005 World Wine Awards issue. Of 5,500 entries, only 31 International Trophies were awarded, earning this wine the distinction of the being the best Chardonnay, worldwide, under ₤10. 
The wine is described as “Touch of gold. Lime marmalade on buttered toast. Classic. Delicious, beautifully balanced.” Grapes were sourced from multiple vineyard sites in South Africa’s Coastal Region. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, and was matured in French oak barrels for 8 months. Chief Winemaker Sterik de Wet noted that the aim was to produce “a more classical style of Chardonnay- not an easy drinking style, but one to be enjoyed with food”, adding that the dry 2003 vintage contributed to the body and structure of the wine.