UK-based Master of Wine (MW), Lynne Sherriff is one of the high-profile international specialists. Lynne is the first South African who completed the esteemed qualification at the Institute of Masters of Wine.

The other members of the international contingent – who will add their finely-honed skills to the Veritas tasting panel – is British Pinotage expert, Peter May, Ton Kolsteeg from the Dutch Wine Academy, Marjan Kveder from the Office International de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV) and South African wine specialist and author, Dave Hughes.

This year’s entries will be evaluated by 13 panels of seven judges per panel. The team of international adjudicators will join local experts to ensure that only wines of exceptional quality are honoured with Veritas Awards.

A total of 1 567 wines are competing in the taste-off at Nederburg. The Shiraz class attracted the highest number of entries this year (188), followed by Cabernet Sauvignon (177) and Sauvignon Blanc (149).

The prestigious Veritas Awards – presented by the South African National Wine Show (SANW) for the 14th time this year – is South Africa’s biggest competition for market ready wines and the most famous wine awards in the country’s.

Veritas double gold and gold medals – the wine industry’s highest accolade for quality wine – will be awarded to this year’s top achievers during a gala dinner at Nederburg on Friday 8 October.

Contact Elsabé Ferreira at SANW, tel (021) 807 3104, e-mail ferreira@vinpro.co.za or visit www.veritas.co.za for further information.