The Veritas Awards attracted almost 1 300 entries this year. The results being announced at an informal luncheon in Paarl, instead of the customary annual gala dinner, where three wineries clinched three Double Gold Veritas awards each, while seven excelled with two Double Gold Veritas awards.
In total, 1 092 medals were awarded – 70 Double Gold, 128 Gold, 185 Silver Outstanding, 506 Silver and 203 Bronze.
A record number of 36 wineries each received one Double Gold and several Gold medals among altogether 70 Double Gold and 128 Gold medals awarded. A total of four Double Gold and 15 Gold medals were awarded to the top fortified wines and South Africa’s leading brandy producers won seven Double Gold and four Gold medals.
The Best Achiever in the class for ten wines or less, was Flagstone Winery, while KWV also won the Best Achiever class for more than ten wines entered.
Veritas Vertex Award
The Veritas Vertex Award derives its name from the Latin word vertex, which means “highest point” and it perfectly represents the Veritas Awards’ objective of crowning the best wine at the peak of all the medals awarded.
The Veritas Vertex Award for the overall champion wine from almost 1 300 entries for Veritas this year, was won by KWV The Mentors Orchestra 2018 (a Bordeaux style blend).
The hand-crafted glass trophy was handed over to KWV senior winemaker Izelle van Blerk. It is the first time that a red wine wins this top trophy since first being awarded in 2017.
Heritage Vineyard Wines
In the class for Heritage Vineyard Wines, the 2019 Koelenhof Stellenbosch 1679 Single Vineyard Wine Bush Vine Chenin Blanc won the first Double Gold award since the inception of this new class last year for vineyards older than 35 years.
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Veritas Double Gold Winners
Veritas Awards 2020 –Double Gold – wine
Altogether 70 Double Gold and 128 Gold medals were awarded. KWV led the way with three Double Gold (in addition to 10 Gold) – for Laborie Brut Cap Classique NV, KWV The Mentors Orchestra (Western Cape) 2018 and KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2010. Spier won three Double Gold, for Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2019, Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2014 and Spier Creative Block 5 Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc/Malbec/Petit Verdot 2010. Nederburg Cellars excelled with three Double Gold for Nederburg The Anchorman Philippus Wolvaart Chenin Blanc 2018; Nederburg The Manor House Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Nederburg The Motorcycle Marvel Günter Brözel 2013.
Veritas Awards 2020 – Fortified wine winners
Altogether four Double Gold and 15 Gold medals were awarded to the top fortified wines. Nuy Wine Cellar won two Double Gold for Nuy Wit Muscadel 2015 and Nuy Wit Muskadel 2006, while Aan de Doorns won Double Gold for their Muscadel Sweet Red Dessert Wine 2017 and Delaire Graff won Double Gold for their Cape Vintage Port Style Touriga Naçional/Tinta Barocca 2018.
Veritas Awards 2020 – Brandy
Distell was top of the log here and received five Double Gold for its Richelieu International Premium Brandy (Standard brandy), Viceroy 5 Years Potstill Brandy, Van Ryn’s 10 Years Single Potstill Brandy, Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12 Years and Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 20 Years as well as four Gold. KWV received two Double Gold for its KWV 10 Years Potstill Brandy and KWV 15 Years Alambic Blend Potstill Brandy.
