Here's a quick glance at the week that was.... Top stories in the news this week: Do mass wine events work? Tasting 41 wines in 2 hours might seem like a dream to some, but in reality, it’s incredibly straining. Here is a handy guide on how event organizers can throw a successful wine show which puts the wine in the best possible light. Click here to read the full article Canadian, Will Predhomme, wins WOSA's Sommelier Cup He achieved the top score in a closely fought challenge involving 12 international contestants who were rigorously tested to assess their knowledge of South African wine in a detailed multi-part theoretical, practical and service exam. Other competing countries were the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Finland, Norway, China and Hong Kong. Click here to read the full article. Wine - new releases and lekker tastings: Drinking gold. Veritas held a tasting at the CTICC on Tuesday, showcasing some of the 1,792 wines and brandies that were rated this year. Some of our favourites were the Rustenberg Five Soldiers Chardonnay 2011 and Moreson Mercator Premium Chardonnay, both of which were Double Gold winners. Windmeul showed off an excellent, Double Gold winning, Reserve Pinotage 2012 which retails at just R85. Bargain. La Motte sizzles with their shiraz La Motte showcased their repeatedly award-winning wines at a Shiraz tasting in Franschhoek. Edmund Terblanche, La Motte's cellar master, gave a talk on Old and New World Shiraz and vineyard versus terroir. This was followed by a New World shiraz pairing by the food and wine guru Katinka van Niekerk. Charmed by Chardonnay For this ever increasingly warmer weather, Holden Manz has a beautiful Chardonnay that is just aching for you to drink. (Cellar door price is R160) We recommend you take a trip to the estate in Franschhoek, though be careful, you may never want to leave. For more details, click here. Events: RMB WineX Sandton 2013 RMB WineX, the undisputed festival of choice for the discerning wine consumer, takes over the Pavilion level of the Sandton Convention Centre from Wednesday 23rd to Friday 25th October in a celebration of all that is good to savour and experience in the world of wine. Tickets start from R130pp. Click here for more details