Home Dates to Diarise Judging Public Tasting News Results Veritas Events SANW Office Young Wine Show

News

International wine specialists lend their judging expertise at Veritas

For close on two decades the Veritas Awards has served as South Africa’s foremost benchmark when it comes to identifying quality and consistency. This august competition acknowledges excellence in the local wine industry and presents wine lovers with a not to be missed opportunity to sample the cream of the crop. This year four highly experienced overseas wine judges joined the Veritas panel in the rigorous process to identify these winning wines.

From the 31 August to 4 September an astounding 1 728 wines were put through their paces at the Nederburg Auction Complex in Paarl. The logistics and co-ordination required for such a mammoth undertaking are quite mind-boggling! However, once again the entire Veritas team outdid themselves, ensuring a successful, seamless operation of the highest standards. The international adjudicators were joined by an authoritative line-up of local wine experts, including prominent winemakers, members of the media, academics, researchers and consultants.

According to Duimpie Bayly, chairman of the SA National Wine Show Association the entire judging process is monitored by independent auditors, thus guaranteeing the integrity and consistency of the results. This year’s international judging component strengthens this process and lends a very important global perspective to the competition.

From Down Under Ian McKenzie once again joins the Veritas panel. “Macka” as he’s affectionately known to his colleagues is best known for his role in the development of Seppelt Salinger (one of Australia’s most highly regarded sparkling wines) and Penfolds Yattarna (Australia’s most popular Chardonnay). Regarded as the country’s most senior wine judge McKenzie possesses an enviable knowledge of both wine and brandy production. After serving on the QANTAS Airways’ wine selection panel, McKenzie is currently a Director of The Wine Society and consultant to various winemakers in Australia, Chile and South Africa.

Also lending her specialist field of know-how to the competition is Lynne Sheriff, a South African wine consultant based in Britain. Sheriff has been a regular contributor to the Veritas panel and brings with her 30 years of wine industry experience. After attaining her Cape Wine Master qualification in 1988 she earned the title of Master of Wine in 1993. Her stints at Stellenbosch Farmers Winery and Nederburg stood Sheriff in good stead for her position as head of the Hong Kong International Wine and Spirits Academy and Commercial Director of Vinfruco, a leading SA wine exporter.

With his acute perceptions of European consumer trends, Thomas Lüber (Germany) contributes valuable insights into the current worldwide wine market. Lüber has occupied the position of lead buyer of South African wines for WIV Wein International AG since 1995. WIV Wein International AG has its head office in Germany and is the world’s largest direct wine sales company. It has its own vineyards and wineries in Germany, France, Hungary, Australia and South Africa and employs more than 6 000 people in 20 countries world wide. Lüber is also a board member of Cape Wine Shippers, a joint venture between Boland Winery and WIV AG.

It was Sweden’s Anders Barrén’s first time to South Africa and on the Veritas panel, an opportunity he says he relished. Barrén is the wine purchaser for all South African wines for Systembolaget, the Swedish alcohol retail monopoly. Having sold 26 million litres of wine last year alone, South Africa has pride of place as the largest category of wine on Systembolaget which serves a market of 9 million Swedes and operates 412 stores. Apart from South Africa, Barrén is also responsible for sourcing wines from North Africa, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and the Far East.

News

VERITAS 2009 TOP PERFORMERS REVEAL THE SECRETS OF THEIR SUCCESS
When asked what 'winning formula' they applied to a wine many a winemaker will smile enigmatically...

SPIER WIELDS VERITAS SCEPTER
Spier Wines reigned supreme at the 2009 Veritas Awards last night (Saturday 10 October).

WINE LEGENDS HONOURED
Lovers of the glorified juice of the vine will agree that 350 years of wine in South Africa is a milestone that...

OVERALL VERSATILITY AND QUALITY FIND FAVOUR WITH FOREIGN JUDGES AT 2009 VERITAS
Some may envy a wine judge’s job – constantly travelling...

VERITAS AWARDS - THE FACTS BEHIND THE FIGURES
In this third question-and-answer interview, SA National Wine Show chairman...

INTERNATIONAL WINE SPECIALISTS LEND THEIR JUDGING EXPERTISE AT VERITAS
For close on two decades the Veritas Awards has served as South Africa’s foremost benchmark when it comes...

JUDGING - BEHIND THE SCENES
In this second article on Veritas adjudication, SA National Wine Show chairman Duimpie Bayly explains how the system...

VERITAS – DID YOU KNOW?
What does perfume, talking and smoking have in common? Nothing much, except that all of them are taboo during a Veritas judging.

HEAVYWEIGHT INTERNATIONAL JUDGES STRENGTHEN VERITAS PANELS
After almost two decades the Veritas Awards has earned its reputation as one of South Africa’s most authoritative and credible competitions for market ready wines...

VERITAS AND REUBENS TEAM UP FOR A DOUBLE DOSE OF DELICIOUS
Lovers of fine wines and gourmet dining are in for a two-fold treat this July. Not only will seven Gold and Double Gold award winning wines...

DON’T MISS THE BOAT FOR VERITAS 2009
Undoubtedly South Africa’s largest independent and most authoritative competition for market ready wines, the Veritas Awards, is just around the corner.