Other top achievers in the double gold and gold rankings were Nederburg Wines (2 double gold, 5 gold), Fleur du Cap (2 double gold, 2 gold), Boplaas (2 double gold, 3 gold), Ernie Els Wines (2 double gold, 1 gold) and Windmeul Cellar (2 double gold, 1 gold).

Anura, Cape Point Vineyards, Diemersfontein and Guardian Peak also shone with two double gold medals each.

Of the total 1 728 entries,  40 (2%) won double gold, 109 (6%) gold, 444 (25%) silver and 676 (39%) bronze medals.

THE WINNING WINES

Spier Wines continued their Veritas triumph of recent years with double gold medals for their 2007 Private Collection Chardonnay, Private Collection Pinotage and Private Collection Shiraz. Their 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve and 2007 True to Terroir The Hutton Cabernet Sauvignon wines under the Woolworths label also achieved double gold status.
Gold medals for the 2006 Spier Private Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Spier Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Lesebo Pinotage, 2007 Woolworths True to Terroir Koffie Klip Merlot, 2008 Spier Private Collection Chardonnay and 2008 Woolworths True to Terroir The Abacus Chardonnay completed their sterling performance.

Nederburg winemakers took yet another a bow on the Veritas podium, winning double gold for the 2007 Nederburg Sémillon Noble Late Harvest Private Bin and 2007 Nederburg Private Bin R181 Merlot. The 2007 Nederburg Private Bin R121 Shiraz, 2008 Nederburg Private Bin D252 Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon, 2008 Nederburg Eminence Private Bin, 2008 Nederburg Winemasters Reserve Noble Late Harvest and 2009 Nederburg Private Bin D234 Sauvignon Blanc garnered gold medals.

Double gold honours went to Fleur du Cap for their 2006 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot and 2007 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon. Their 2007 Fleur du Cap Noble Late Harvest and 2007 Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot won gold medals.

Boplaas reaffirmed their position as the country’s Port masters with double gold for their Boplaas Cape Tawny (non-vintage) and 2006 Boplaas Cape Vintage plus gold for Boplaas Cape Tawny Vintners Reserve (non-vintage) and their 2004 Boplaas Cape Vintage Reserve. The 1997 Boplaas Cape Tawny Reserve Port clinched a gold award in the Museum Class.

Ernie Els Wines proved their mettle with double gold for the  2005 Ernie Els Limited Release and 2007 Engelbrecht Els Proprietors Blend as well as gold for the  2007 Ernie Els Cirrus Syrah.

Windmeul Cellar flew the Paarl region’s flag at Veritas with double gold for the  Windmeul Cape Blend and Windmeul Pinotage Reserve plus gold for Windmeul Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve – all 2008 vintage.

Red blends lead in the double gold medal stakes with six awards, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (5), Merlot (5), Sauvignon Blanc (5), Pinotage (4), Muscadel (3), Chardonnay (2), Shiraz (2), Port (2), Chenin Blanc (1), Sémillon (1), Noble Late Harvest (1), Méthode Cap Classique (1). The Museum Class yielded two double gold awards for Noble Late Harvest (1) and Dessert wine (1).

The highest number of gold medals were awarded to Merlot (13), followed by Cabernet
Sauvignon (11), Chardonnay (10), Red Blends (9), Muscadel (9), Chenin Blanc (8), Shiraz (8), Sauvignon Blanc (8), Pinotage (7), White Blends (5), Dessert Wine (4), Méthode Cap Classique (3), Colombar (2), Noble Late Harvest (2), Port (2), Viognier (1), Natural Sweet (1), Rosé (1), Malbec (1) and Other Cultivars (1). Three gold medals were awarded to a White Wine, a Red Wine and a Port entered in the Museum Class.

After almost two decades the distinctive Veritas emblem of excellence that adorn the winning wines has become synonymous with top quality wines.

The full results are available online at  www.veritas.co.za

HEAVYWEIGHT INTERNATIONAL VERITAS JUDGES

Sauvignon Blanc, with 206 entries, topped the list of contenders, followed by Shiraz (203) and Cabernet Sauvignon (162). The 1 728 entries had to hold their own in the company of 105 formidable judges, including four esteemed international wine experts.

The overseas delegation includes Australia’s most senior wine judge, Ian McKenzie; Thomas Lüber, lead buyer for the world’s largest direct wine sales company, WIV Wein International in Germany;  Lynne Sheriff, vice-chairperson of the Institute of Masters of Wine (IMW) in Britain and Anders Barren, the buyer responsible for South African wine purchases by the Swedish alcohol retail monopoly.

According to Veritas chairman, Duimpie Bayly, the integrity of the Veritas judges is undisputed and the complete judging process is audited by independent auditors.

Wines are tasted blind by panels consisting of seven experts each, ten wines at a time. The wines are thoroughly discussed and when consensus is reached scores are awarded according to the international 20 point scale. A double gold medal is awarded to a wine which scores 18 or more points out of 20 and the golden Veritas symbol will adorn a wine which receives 17 points, while silver goes to wines earning 16 points, and bronze to wines that scores 15 points

TASTE VERITAS WINNERS COUNTRYWIDE

Wine lovers have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the cream of the 2009 Veritas crop at the annual public tastings in three cities across the country during October and November this year with special tastings of selected wines in Port Elizabeth and Knysna.

The Cape Town tasting takes place at the VOC Centre (Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street) on 21 October 2009 from 17:00 until 20:00. Tickets cost R120. Gauteng wine connoisseurs can join in the fun at the Bill Gallagher Room at the Sandton Convention Centre on 27 October from 17:00 until 20:00 where tickets cost R130. Durbanites should reserve their places at the Function Room, Deloittes Head Office in Umhlanga for a tasting on 5 November from 17:00 until 20:00. Tickets cost R100. A limited number of tickets are available in advance at Computicket outlets nationwide or online at www.computicket.com

A selection of the Veritas champs will also be available for tasting in Port Elizabeth (Squires Legendary Grill on 10 November) and Knysna (Kilzers Kitchen on 11 and 12 November). Bookings are to be made at the venues. Visit www.veritas.co.za for further information.

A selection of the Veritas wines will also be available at From the Earth at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) from 16 to 18 October 2009.

This year’s wine tastings are supported by the professional services firm, Deloitte, who shares Veritas’ quest for excellence in South African Wine.

For the latest Veritas news, as well as interesting interviews with the organisers, international judges and top achievers, visit the new Veritas online press office at www.winenews.co.za.

For further information contact Elsabé Ferreira at tel (021) 807 3104, email information@veritas.co.za or visit www.veritas.co.za