Judging

The judging system for Veritas has been described as one of the most thorough in the industry.  Judging panels are representative of the entire wine industry and include winemakers, distillers, researchers, academics and merchants and are compiled in collaboration with the relevant cultivar work groups.

All the judges are required to have a wine judging certificate from the University of Stellenbosch, a Cape Wine Masters Diploma or a similar accreditation. International judges with vast experience in judging are invited to join the panels and to share their knowledge to award the best wines and brandies. Wines and brandies are tasted blind by panels that consist of three experts judging 10 wines at a time. Scores are awarded according to the international 100-point scale, without discussion. A Double Gold medal is awarded through a consensus decision by the panel if the wine/brandy scores 93 or more out of 100. Gold is awarded when a wine/brandy notches-up 90 to 92,9 points, a silver outstanding sticker will go on a bottle of wine/brandy if the wine scored 86 to 89,9 points,  a silver sticker will go on a bottle of wine/brandy if the wine scored 80 to 85,9 points, while bronze medals go to wines/brandies that scored 75 to 79,9 points. The integrity of Veritas’ judges is undisputable and the whole judging process is audited through independent auditors

2023

International JudgesChardonnayChenin BlancDry White Wine
Panel 1
Sauvignon BlancSauvignon Blanc
Panel 2
Cap Classique 
& Sparkling Wine
Christine Austin (Wine Writer)
Jonas Röjerman (MD)
Jo Wessels (Sommelier)
Joe Wadsack (British wine buyer/TV presenter)
Izelle van Blerk
Johann de Wet
Frans Smit
Anné van Heerden
Jo Wessels
Albertus Louw
Jacques Erasmus
Elsabé Teubes
Irina von Holdt
Christine Austin
Hermias Hugo
Pieter Carstens
Jacques Bruwer
Elsie Pells
Johan Dippenaar
Christine Austin
Christo Pienaar
RJ Botha
Morgan Steyn
De Wet Viljoen
Jacques Steyn
Jonas Röjerman
Pieter-Niel Rossouw
Dewald Huisamen
Jacques Henderson
Heidi Duminy
Johan Malan
Danielle coetsee
Melanie vd Merwe
Jo Wessels
Bordeaux BlendsCabernet SauvignonDry Red BlendsMerlotRhone Blends/Pinot Noir
Ceritfied heritage wines
Other Red Varietals

 

Pinotage &
Cape Blends
Susan Erasmus
Danielle le Roux
Johnnie Calitz
JD Rossouw
Wim Truter
Johan Jordaan
Berho vd Westhuizen
JC Bekker
Catherine Dillon
Joe Wadsack
Klaas Stofberg
Tinnie Momberg
Hattingh de Villiers
Janno Briers Louw
Jonas Röjerman
Narina Cloete
Phillip Viljoen
Jacqui Henderson
Cornea Cilliers
Renier van Deventer
Charles Hopkins
Ricardo cloete
Bertus Basson
Erna Blancquaert
René Groenewald
Anton Swarts
Jaco Potgieter
Ryan Puttick
Michiel Visser
Joe Wadsack
Francois van Niekerk
Abraham van Heerden
Jenna Higgins
Helena Melis
Anri Truter

 

ShirazShiraz
Panel 2
Port Style & 
Sweet wines
Dessert WinesMuseum ClassBrandyVertex Award Panel
Edmund Terblanche
Wilhelm Pienaar
Edwin Mathambo
Andy Roediger
Juandre Bruwer
Elzette du Preez
Leon Dippenaar
Mark Philp
Raymond Noppé
Colin Frith
Louis van der Riet
Elsie Pells
Janine van Zyl
Nico Grundling
Henri Swiegers
Melissa Rhode
Andre Scriven
Gert van Deventer
Bennie Howard
Cathy van Zyl
Neil Ellis
Colin Frith
Christine Austin
Winnie Bowman
Nina-Mari Bruwer
Lizette Tolken
Conrad Louw
Fiona McDonald
Joe Wadsack
Christine Austin
Jo Wessels
Jonas Röjerman
Christo Pienaar
Bennie Howard
Neil Ellis
Richard Kershaw
Cathy van Zyl
Samarie Meletiou