Cellars shine with double gold
2006-10-12
LOCAL wineries excelled on Friday evening at the annual Veritas Awards held during a gala dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The Veritas Awards is regarded as the most prestigious wine competition in the country and a highlight on the industry calendar.
The top five cellars (receiving more than one double gold medal each) were Winecorp, Cederberg, Kanonkop, Rust & Vrede and Nuy.
Locally, double gold was awarded to Nederburg’s Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2003 (plus 6 gold), the Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs MCC (plus 3 gold), Boland Merlot Winemakers Selection 2004, Perdeberg Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2006, Doolhof Sauvignon Blanc 2006, Grande Provence Shiraz 2004, Mountain River Estuary Sauvignon Blanc 2005 and the Saronsberg Seismic 2004.
Other local cellars that walked off with gold medals were Allee Bleue (4), Anura, Avondale (2), La Motte, Môreson, Rickety Bridge, Ridgeback and Seidelberg.
Of the close to 1 700 wines that were entered for this year’s competition, 36 (2%) were crowned with double gold awards, 94 (6%) with gold, 383 (23%) with silver and 682 (41%) with bronze medals.
This year’s entries were evaluated over four days by 16 expert panels of seven judges each.
Eight international adjudicators joined more than 100 local judges to ensure that only wines of the highest quality were honoured with Veritas Awards.
The international panel included the Australian Chardonnay expert and retired winemaker of Leeuwin Estate, Bob Cartwright, well-known former auctioneer of the Nederburg Wine Auction, Patrick Grubb (MW) from Britain, respected Canadian wine writer, Steve Thurlow and the awarded Sommelier and wine consultant, Joelle Marti-Baron from Britain.
The UK-based Master of Wine and Cape Wine Master, Lynne Sherriff, Thomas Lüber, wine buyer of the German import company Cape Wine Suppliers, Madelein Stenwerth head buyer of System Bologet in Sweden and South African wine specialist and author, Dave Hughes, added their expertise to the panel.
This year, the SANW reached an agreement with Checkers that will give them the opportunity to offer the widest selection of Veritas double gold and gold medal winners yet to the public in 120 of the “Wine Route” divisions located in their supermarkets countrywide.
Taste this year’s Veritas double gold and gold winners at the Veritas wine tastings, which will be held in Cape Town on Wednesday 18 October from 17:00 to 21:00 at the Southern Sun Cape Sun Hotel, Strand Street. Cheeses crowned with Qualité Awards for superior quality will also be available for tasting (tickets R85).
The entrance fee includes a tasting glass, light snacks and a pocket-size Veritas results booklet. Bookings can be made through computicket.
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