Although they tried their best to consider all safe ways to organize this landmark blind tasting event in partnership with the Tops @Spar Wine Show, there will be no South African Wine Tasting Championships in 2020, and no names will be engraved on the floating Trophy.
All tickets have already been refunded in full.
As sad as it can be for the wine lovers who have been following the SAWTC since 2013, staying safe is the responsible thing to do, and 2021 will be offering us a championship grander than ever!
Nevertheless the World Championship may still take place on the 10th of October 2020 at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte next to Bordeaux, and Jean Vincent Ridon's team is trying its best to have a Team South Africa ready in case they can fly to this yearly competition. The main concern would be that no flights would be available to travel freely from South Africa to France at that time. Or that a double quarantine makes it impossible to travel.
Team SA 2020 would be open to all former team South Africa members since 2013, and a blind tasting selection will take place later in the year.
However the lack of sponsorships with so many variables in play may require the Team members to participate to their travel costs. The minimum size of the Team is 3 participants and the coach can become a competitor, so the Team 2020 may have to adapt to the dire reality of Covid-19 limitations.
If the worst happens, and South Africa has not reached yet the L1 level of alert, there is still the possibility to ask some of South Africa's best sommeliers working in Europe to join the team and make sure South Africa is not missing the wine Olympics.
Let's wish them to stay healthy and able to fly the South African colors high in October 2020.
For any information, visit sawtc@wine.co.za