Exciting highlights were reached at the stylish 32nd Veritas Awards, featuring another record number of medals to well-known brands, as well as novices, while the top trophy for the best wine entered for Veritas was clinched by the 2019 Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon.
This glamorous event was held in a marquee tent on the expansive lawn in front of the Nederburg Manor House, where three new financial partners joined Veritas. They were KykNet’s Ontbytsake TV, Nashua and BlueNova – in addition to the established sponsors SA Litho and Deloitte, while seven living wine legends received scrolls of honour for excellent service to the industry.
The mood of optimism about a bright future for the wine industry carried over at the Veritas Awards following the conclusion of the highly successful CapeWine expo for international buyers and media on Friday 7 October in Cape Town.
Other stars of the Veritas function were Distell, with seven Double Gold wines which include Nederburg’s five Double Gold medals as best cellar, followed by KWV, Spier, Kleine Zalze, and Wellington Wines close on their heels with four Double Gold each. Distell also took the laurels in the brandy category, with five Double Gold medals including Van Ryn’s three Double Gold.
Three wineries also excelled with three Double Gold each, namely Benguela Cove, Cilmor and De Grendel, while eleven cellars each received two Double Gold.
The results were met with great anticipation at an informal luncheon to the background of fine jazz music by Cape artists, where 103 Double Gold and 136 Gold awards were handed out.
The big highlight of the event, like in the past five years, was the presentation of the Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex Award (named after this legendary industry role player) for the overall champion wine from 1 312 entries.
The handcrafted glass trophy was handed to Tokara cellarmaster Stuart Botha and his team for their 2019 Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon. It was the third time that a red wine garnered this top award since its inception.
The well-known Nederburg Cellar’s versatility was proven by the most Double Gold medals for five of its entries. They were the Philippus Wolvaart The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2014, Nederburg Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 and three noble late harvest (NLH) wines, Private Bin Edelkeur 2011 and 2013, as well as The Winemasters NLH 2018. Nederburg also boasts winning three Gold.
The most Double Gold medals per category, namely 12, went to Sauvignon Blanc, followed by Red Blends 9, and Chenin Blanc and Cap Classique 8 each.
The Veritas Awards this year drew 1 312 entries, which were judged by an authoritative jury of 70 local specialists during a five-day blind tasting session. The judging panels comprised three members each, as has been the case in the past two years.
See the medals breakdown of the top wines and brandies below.
Financial boost for awards function
The Veritas Awards received a further boost with the announcement of three new financial partners for the awards function. They are the Ontbytsake TV programme on KykNet channell 144 as media partner, as well as Nashua and BlueNova. Christo Pienaar, chairperson of the SA National Wine Show Association (SANWSA) and Veritas, said the organisation was elated about the new support. “We gladly welcome our new partners to Veritas and appreciate their enthusiasm in joining the Veritas Awards.”
New financial partners:
- Louis Mclaren, owner and executive producer: Ontbytsake:
Ontbytsake changed ownership at the end of last year and the programme is seen as the ideal platform to promote business which is close to the new owners’ hearts. These ‘heartfelt’ matters include promoting tourism and associated industries like wine production. Thus, extensive exposure is given weekly on Ontbytsake, kykNET channels 144 and 145, to several wine producers, including new entrants in South Africa, but at a fraction of the normal airing costs. By joining as financial partner and also giving exposure to the Veritas Awards, we give viewers the opportunity to get to know choice wines and thereby also acknowledge the winemakers for their extraordinary abilities.
- Barry Venter, CEO Nashua:
At Nashua, our 49 years of operating in South Africa has given us the experience to know that technology is an enabler of human potential. With our total workspace solutions philosophy, we have all the bases covered, whether you need help to secure your assets, or assistance with scaling your business for the future. We are proud to partner with Veritas and look forward to paving the way for energy solutions for sustainable wine farming.
- James Verwey CEO BlueNova:
BlueNova has been building premium quality lithium batteries since 2015. While our main focus remains set on the production of high-performance energy products fuelled by continued innovation and backed with world-class support, it is safe to assume that there are a few wine fanatics among us too. Therefore, we are proud to be part of the 2022 Veritas Awards. So, for those that appreciate the finer quality things in life, whether you prefer red wine or white, your next choice of battery should lean towards blue. Affordable, reliable, scalable, efficient and safe.
Remarkable success with app for online wine sales
Wine lovers can now purchase the awarded wines through the Veritas App. The Veritas Vice-Chairman,Bennie Howard, said he was most delighted with the phenomenal success of the Vino Veritas App by CTP. “We launched this in 2020 to enable consumers to order the awarded wines directly online for delivery to their doorstep by our partner, GetWine, and wine lovers have been pretty pleased with this service, which was further expanded last year.”
This means that the wine and brandy buying public can download the App on their smartphones or computers to immediately access the results and order any of the 239 products which won Double Gold or Gold at the 2022 Veritas Awards. Register on Android or Google with the words “VinoVeritas by CTP.”
Public wine tastings are back
Good news for users of the Veritas purchasing app, is that the regular wine tastings for the public presented under the Deloitte banner, but interrupted by Covid restrictions, are to be held again. Ruwayda Redfearn, Deloitte Africa’s CEO, said,” We look forward to share the top Veritas wines with our clients, the trade and consumers at the tastings.”
The tastings will be held on 21 October in Cape Town, 25 October in Johannesburg and 10 November in Durban. All the tastings will take place at the Deloitte premises in each city. See further information at www.veritas.co.za.
Seven living legends honoured
The Veritas tradition to honour industry leaders since 2009, is being continued this year. Thereby, seven leading personalities received the 2022 Living Legend Scroll of Honour for their dedication to and enthusiasm and passion for the domestic wine and brandy industries. They are Peet Engelbrecht, Michael Fridjhon, Angela Lloyd, Johann Krige, Olla Olivier, Beyers Truter and Johannes van Willing, the latter who has been involved with wine show presentation for almost 45 years.
Living Legends: Beyers Truter, Christo Pienaar (Chairman Veritas), Olla Olivier, Johann Krige, Angela Lloyd, Michael Fridhjon, Peet Engelbrecht, Johannes van Willing, Bennie Howard (Vice-chair of Veritas)
Veritas medals are thoroughly monitored
Consumers can acquire the Veritas medal-winning wines with confidence, since all the entries are monitored by SA Wine Industry Information and Systems (Sawis) to comply with the competition’s stringent regulations. This includes verification of the appropriate documents, as well as information on their bottling and labelling as Wine of Origin.
The top achievers were:
WINE
Distell – Seven Double Gold (13 Gold):
Durbanville Hills Collectors Reserve The Cape Mist Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Durbanville Hills Signature Sauvignon Blanc (Woolworths) 2021
Nederburg Philippus Wolvaart The Anchorman Chenin Blanc 2014
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2013
Nederburg Private Bin Edelkeur Chenin Blanc NLH 2011
Nederburg The Winemasters NLH 2018
Nederburg Two Centuries Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
KWV – four Double Gold (also nine Gold):
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2012
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch 2019
KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011
Laborie Blanc de Blancs Brut Cap Classique 2016
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc 2012
KWV The Mentors Cabernet Franc Stellenbosch 2019
KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011
Spier – four Double Gold (five Gold):
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2020
Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2014
Spier 21 Gables Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Spier Seaward Chardonnay 2021
Kleine Zalze – four Double Gold (three Gold):
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Old Bushvine Chenin Blanc 2015
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie 2020
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Shiraz 2012
Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Grenache 2021
Wellington Wines - four Double Gold (two Gold):
La Cave Cape Blend 2019
La Cave Pinotage 2020
La Cave Winemakers Selection Cape Blend 2017
Wellington Wines Duke Chenin Blanc 2022
Three cellars each won three Double Gold, namely Benguela Cove (one Gold), Cilmor (one Gold) and De Grendel (one Gold).
Eleven wineries each received two Double Gold: Steenberg Vineyards, Flagstone Wines, Simonsig Wines, Cederberg Cellar, Durbanville Hills, Welgevallen Cellar, Rainbow’s End Estate, Neethlingshof Estate, Delaire Graff Estate and Babylonstoren.
In the class for Certified Heritage Vineyard Wines, Neethlingshof Estate’s The Short Story Collection Maria NLH 2022, won a Double Gold medal in the division for vineyards older than 35 years.
BRANDY
Distell excelled in the brandy category with five Double Gold and one Gold. KWV was in second place with two Double Gold and one Gold.
DISTELL’S Double Gold were:
Richelieu International Premium Brandy
Richelieu 10 Year Old Brandy
Van Ryn's 10 Year Old Single Potstill Brandy
Van Ryn's 12 Year Old Single Potstill Brandy
Van Ryn's 20 Year Old Single Potstill Brandy
FORTIFIED WINE
Nuy took the lead with two Double Gold and two Gold, followed by Badsberg, Bon Courage and KWV with one Double Gold each.
Nuy Wynkelder – two Double Gold:
Nuy Rooi Muskadel 2000
Nuy Wit Muskadel 2006
BEST ACHIEVER CLASSES
The Best Achiever in the class for ten wines or less was Flagstone Winery, while Kleine Zalze Cellar was the Best Achiever for more than ten wines entered. Fortified Wines, Museum and Brandy Class medals are excluded from this calculation.
Category leaders
The Veritas Awards this year had 1 312 medal contenders. Altogether 1 177 medals were awarded – 103 Double Gold, 136 Gold, 218 Silver Outstanding, 515 Silver and 205 Bronze.
The seven most competitive categories in terms of entries received, were: Red Blends (184), Sauvignon Blanc (137), Shiraz (116), Cabernet Sauvignon (104), Chenin Blanc (95) and Chardonnay and Pinotage (90 each).
Altogether 21 brandies were entered in three categories: Standard, Vintage and Potstill.
Top scores among the Double Gold medals for Wine were Sauvignon Blanc (12), Red Blends (9), Chenin Blanc and Cap Classique (8), Chardonnay and Museum White Wine (6), Shiraz and White Blends (5), Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Museum NLH, Museum Red and Pinotage (3), Cabernet Franc, Grenache Noir and Viognier with 2 medals each.
A Double Gold medal was also awarded for Cinsaut, Heritage Vineyards Wines, Malbec, Museum Cap Classique, Other White Cultivar, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Sémillonand Straw Wine.
Double Gold for Fortifed Wines: with1 medal each to Cape Style, Dessert Wines, Museum White Dessert, Museum Red Dessert and White Muscadel.
Potstill Brandies excelled with 6 Double Gold, Vintage Brandy and Standard Brandy with 1 each.
Under Gold, Red Blends (22) led, followed by Sauvignon Blanc (17), Shiraz (11), Pinotage and White Blends (7), Cap Classique and Merlot (6), Chardonnay and Museum Red Wine (5). Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc and Colombar with 4 medals each. Three medals went to Cap Classique Rosé, Cape Style, Petit Verdot, Red Muscadel and White Muscadel, followed by two medals each for Dessert Wine, Museum White Wine, Potstill Brandy, Rosé and Standard Brandy. One each was awarded for Cabernet Franc, Heritage Vineyard Wines, Museum Dessert White, Museum NLH, Museum Cap Classique, Natural Sweet, Other Red Cultivars, Other White Cultivars, Perlé, Pinot Noir, Sherry, Straw Wine and White Wine from Red Cultivars.
Contact us for more information at tel 021 863 1599 or e-mail info@veritas.co.za
Visit the website www.veritas.co.za for the full results.
Stay in touch via social media:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VeritasAwards
Twitter: twitter.com/veritasawards
Stay connected: #VeritasAwards
Side photo captions:
Photo 1:
Duimpie Bayly Veritas Vertex winner 2022- Tokara Collectors Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon with Tokara Cellarmaster Stuart Botha, Christo Pienaar, Chairman Veritas and Gerald Fortuin wine maker.
Photo 2:
Handmade Vertex trophy
Photo 3:
The most double gold medals namely 5 were won by Nederburg : Zinaschke Prins (red wine maker) Isobel Teubes (viticulturist) Christo Pienaar and Imelia Prins (assistant red wine maker)
Photo 4:
Top wineries with most DG – RJ Botha Kleine Zalze (4), Johan Jordaan Spier (4),Christo Pienaar Veritas, Daniel Slabber Wellington (4), and Zinaschke Steyn Nederburg (5)
Photo 5:
Best Brandy producer with 3 DG – Marlene Bester Master Distiller of Van Ryn and Bennie Howard Veritas
Photo 6:
VIP’s Rico Basson CEO VinPro, Johan Ehlers CEO AgriExpo, Siohbhan Thompson CEO Wines of South Africa, Christo Pienaar and Bennie Howard Veritas
Photo 7:
Long standing Financial Partners SA Litho – GM Dawrian Salies, Nina le Riche Partner Deloitte, Christo Pienaar, Marius Alberts partner Deloitte and Bennie Howard
Photo 8:
New financial partners: Louis Mclaren owner/producer Ontbytsake, Christo Pienaar, James Verwey CEO Blue Nova and Deon Boshoff MD Nashua Paarl and West Coast
Photo 9:
Christo Pienaar, cellarmaster Nuy the best Fortified producer with two DG wines and De Wet Viljoen, chairman Technical Committee Veritas
Photo 10:
Handré Lourens en Marciel Hopkins – “presenter of boer soek ‘n vrou” and parents Annaline and Charles Hopkins, previous chairman of Veritas.