From then on glory or unfamiliarity is in the hands (or noses and palates) of a handpicked panel.

The nail biting ends on Friday 6 October when medal winners are announced and the chosen ones – those who achieved gold and double status – broadcasted to the world. One double gold can bring a winery instant fame, two – a reason for smiles in the boardroom and three means news coverage with a value that can hardly be measured in rand and cents.

“Veritas is by far the most reliable benchmark for quality and a double gold award gives credibility to your entire wine-range” says Pieter Malan of Simonsig about the three double gold medals that were awarded to this Stellenbosch winery in 2005.

Veritas – presented by the South African National Wine Show Association (SANW) for the 15th time this year – is as a matter of fact South Africa’s largest and most well-known competition for wines currently on the market and the wine industry’s highest honour for excellence in winemaking. The distinctive Veritas symbol – to be displayed on award-winning wines – also serves as an authoritative quality guideline for wine lovers.

This year’s specialist panels – packed with local and international experts of specific categories – come together from 4 to 8 September at Nederburg to taste and reach consensus on which wines are worth the coveted gold and double gold awards. These results are then guarded like a state secret until Friday 6 October when they are announced during a gala dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre to the who’s who of the wine world.

For further information, contact Elsabé Ferreira at the SANW, tel (021) 807 3104, fax (021) 863 2079, e-mail ferreira@vinpro.co.za or visit the Veritas website for entry forms and/or further details www.veritas.co.za