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 Judges | Chardonnay | Chenin Blanc | Dry White Wine Panel 1 | Sauvignon Blanc | Sauvignon 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 Blends | Cabernet Sauvignon | Dry Red Blends | Merlot | Rhone 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 |
Shiraz | Shiraz Panel 2 | Port Style & Sweet wines | Dessert Wines | Museum Class | Brandy | Vertex 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 |