The Veritas Awards – South Africa’s largest independent competition for bottled wines – is on its way. By 15 August 2008 winemakers should have their finest wines entered for this year’s big challenge.

Those who feel that they need just that extra little bit of time, however, can arrange for late entries with a deadline of 25 August, but then the entry fee will be R825 plus VAT per wine, instead of the usual R625 plus VAT.

From 8 to 12 September specialist panels will be meeting at the Nederburg Auction Complex to evaluate the wines according to international guidelines set by the OIV, and to gain consensus about their final evaluation.

After four weeks of suspenseful anticipation wines that have earned Veritas fame this year will be announced on Saturday 11 October in Cape Town. Last year’s record number of 1 904 entries yielded a mere 44 (or 2%) double gold awards and 101 (or 5%) gold awards. Achievements of this calibre generate extensive media coverage and are noted in many wine guides.

The awards also give an indication of the current success rate of various styles and cultivars in South Africa and of the regions where they do best; also which vintages of red wines in particular have been developing up to expectation. As the years speed by and South African wines continue to improve, the competition also becomes tougher.

The 2008 Veritas entry form and catalogue are available online at www.veritas.co.za and at the offices of the SA National Wine Show Society (SANW). Get in touch with Elsabé Ferreira at tel (021) 807 3104, fax (021) 863 2079, e-mail ferreira@vinpro.co.za