KWV, Spier, and Nederburg are our country’s top three wine estates based on the number of Double Gold and Gold Awards they received at the 2014 Veritas Awards Gala Dinner at the Cape Town International Convention Centre on Saturday evening, making up almost half the 51 Double Gold awards. The Veritas Awards are viewed as the ‘Oscars of the South African wine industry‘, with close to 1800 wines entered, a slight decrease on the number of 2013 entries.

KWV was announced as the Best Wine Producer for the fourth year running, and increased its Double Gold awards from four last year to seven this year.  KWV also won 2 Double Golds for its Brandy.  Spier has greatly enhanced its Veritas performance, with 7 Double Gold awards, compared to only one last year. Nederburg increased its Double Gold tally from four last year to six.  Flagstone won Best Performer in the less than 10 wines entered category, and the KWV won in the 11+ wines entered category.

Four wine industry legends Danie de Wet of De Wetshof, Diaan de Villiers, Professor Diko van Zyl (author of historical works on the history of the wine industry), and Jeff Wedgwood, were recognised as ‘Living Legends’, for their contribution to the local wine and brandy industries..

KWV won Double Gold for: KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon 2009, Laborie Blanc de Blanc MCC 2010, KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2011, KWV The Mentors Petit Verdot 2011, KWV The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012.  It also won Double Gold awards in the Museum Class for its KWV Reserve Port Limited Edition 672 1929, and KWV White Muscadel Jerepigo 1968.  It also won two Double Golds for its Brandies: KWV 12 Year Barrel Select Brandy, and KWV Alambic 15 Year Brandy Limited Release.

Spier won Double Gold for:  Spier Private Collection Chenin Blanc 2009, Spier Creative Block 5 (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot/Cabernet Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot) 2011, Savanna Naledi Chardonnay 2012, Spier 21 Gables Pinotage 2012, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2013, Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2013, and Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2014.

Nederburg won Double Gold for: Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2003, Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2006, Nederburg Private Bin R163 Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Nederburg Private Bin R181 Merlot 2009, and Nederburg Heritage Heroes The Young Airhawk Sauvignon Blanc 2013.  The Nederburg Private Reserve Port 1964 won Double Gold in the Museum Class.

Anura, Graham Beck Wines, and Simonsig won two Double Golds each, while the following wine producers each won one Double Gold:  Boplaas Family Vineyards, Cederberg Private Cellar, DGB Boschendal, Diemersdal Wine Estate, Eagles’ Nest Wines, Flagstone Winery, Ghost Corner, Guardian Peak, Jordan Wine Estate, Lomond, Longavi (Chile), Môreson, Neil Ellis Wines, Perdeberg, Pulpit Rock, Rustenberg, Saronsberg, Steenberg, The High Road, and Windmeul.  Brandy Double Gold Awards went to Elsenburg 13 Year Potstill Brandy, Oude Meester Demant Postilled Brandy, and Van Ryn’s Fine Cask Reserve 15 Year Brandy.

The Veritas judging panel included seven international judges, including MW and Cape Wine Master Lynne Sherriff,  Richard Rowe, the wine advisor to the King and Queen of Sweden Johan Larsson, and Denis Lahouratate of Bisquit Cognac. There were 118 local judges.  The judging was audited by Deloitte.

The Veritas Double Gold and Gold award wines are offered to taste around the country, with the sponsorship of Deloitte:

*   In Cape Town on 15 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (R150, book at Computicket)

*   In Johannesburg in the Sandton Convention Centre on 28 October (R160, book at Computicket)

*   In Durban at the Deloitte Head Office on 5 November (R110, book at Computicket)

*   In Port Elizabeth at the Garden Court King Beach Hotel on 11 November (R110)

*   In Knysna on 13 November at Kilzer’s Kitchen (R120)

 2014 Veritas Awards.  Tel (021) 863-1599. www.veritas.co.za   Twitter: @VeritasAwards

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Tel (021) 433-2100.  Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook:  click here