The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions on all economic and other activities in South Africa have led to normal activities being changed and adapted in order to be able to proceed within this ‘new normal’ situation.
Veritas in the time of Corona
The organisers, namely the SA National Wine Show Association (SANWSA), are fully aware of the responsibility of the safety measures required under Level 3 for these competitions to be able to proceed.
Thorough protocols have been developed to be able to handle the wines entered in such a way that all health and safety requirements for the judges, officials and personnel involved in the tasting sessions are met.
The core business of these two shows is to give the wine industry the opportunity to have wines presented for judging and to use the results as a yardstick of quality. The importance of this from a marketing point of view has been proven over years, not only locally but also in the international market.
The new closing date for Veritas entries is 9 September, while the judging will take place from 12 – 16 October.
SA Young Wine Show
The SA Young Wine Show is the world’s most long-standing wine show, presented for 188 years already, and it judges young wines made in the year of the competition.
The Young Wine Show once again presents the ideal opportunity for all producers to compete with their select wines for SA Champion Trophy status in 17 classes. T
wo especially sought-after trophies are at stake, namely the General Smuts and Pietman Hugo Trophies – respectively as this competition’s top accolade since 1952 for the overall champion wine, and recognition for the winery achieving the highest points in total for five different wines entered.
The new closing date for SA Young Wine Show entries is 5 August, while the judging is now scheduled for 31 August – 4 September.
Both competitions’ judging sessions are to be held at the Nederburg Auction Complex in Paarl, where all regulations with regard to safety and health protocols will be implemented and where adequate space is available to ensure social distancing of all personnel, judges and officials.
In line with the practice over years, specialist judges are appointed in all panels to ensure that the top expertise is employed to identify the winners.
A decision about these competitions’ awards functions and possible public tastings will be made at a later stage.
Compiled from Veritas
