Wine experts unite for biggest Veritas tasting yet

15 August 2007

 width=From Monday 17 September to Thursday 20 September this experienced team will put their unrivalled knowledge to use in determining which of the more than 1 900 market-ready wines are worthy of double gold and gold status.

Veritas had unparalleled growth of 14% and a record 231 more wines have been entered for this year’s competition. With 327 wineries taking part, it is the most participants in the competitions’ 17 year history.

The international contingent comprises, among others, John Avery (MW) from the United Kingdom, chairman of one of Britain’s biggest wine import and distribution companies, Avery’s of Bristol; Julian Brind (MW), also from the UK with 40 years experience in the wine industry; Michelle Cherutti-Kowal, owner of Wine Affairs in the UK; and Lynn Sherriff, the British and Cape Wine Master currently living in England.

The other internationally recognised judges are prize-winning journalist Michael Vaughan from Canada; wine buyer for the Swedish Monopoly and well-known sommelier Jonas Röjerman; wine buyer Thomas Lüber from Germany; two winemakers from Australia, Mac McKenzie as well as Bob Cartwright, the Australian Chardonnay specialist; and the South African wine expert and specialist taster, Dave Hughes.

Altogether 16 panels consisting of seven judges each will take part in the judging at Nederburg Auction Complex in Paarl. The Veritas Awards are presented by the South African National Wine Show Association (SANW) and is widely regarded to be the wine industry’s most authoritative quality measure. The Veritas emblem, used to identify high calibre wines, will grace al winning wines after the announcement.

A record 1 904 wines from 327 participants will go head to head at this years event. Shiraz, with 220 entries, is the largest class for the sixth consecutive year, followed by Sauvignon Blanc (209) and Cabernet Sauvignon (204).

The 2007 Veritas double gold and gold winners will be announced at a gala dinner on Saturday, October 13, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

Contact Elsabé Ferreira at SANW, tel (021) 807 3104, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.veritas.co.za for further information.