We had to rush home from the CWG Auction and change
into our finery for this black tie event which was held on the same day. It was held at the Cape Town International
Convention Centre and we were all welcomed in the foyer with MCC bubbles and
canapés before going upstairs to the Ballroom for the awards and dinner. There
were over 760 people at what must be one of the largest Cape Town
functions.
This year 1,767 wines and brandies were rated (1,792
in 2013) by an authoritative line-up of international judges joined by local
wine specialists. 1345 medals were
awarded (1422 in 2013). The awarding of
155 Gold (165 in 2013) and 51 Double Gold medals (68 in 2013) this year were down on the
previous year, as judging has got more rigorous we were told.
Four industry people received 2014 Living Legends
scrolls of honour: Danie de Wet; Diaan
de Villiers; Professor Diko van Zyl and Jeff Wedgwood. You can see all the result by clicking on
this link: www.veritas.co.za .The public tastings of some of these wines
will be held on 15th October thCape Town and 25th October in
Johannesburg; Durban 5th
November, Port Elizabeth 11th November -
see details on http://www.veritas.co.za/public-tasting/
We gather in the vestibule
then take our seats in the vast
ballroom
Proceedings are opened by Charles
Hopkins of De Grendel who is the current Chairperson of Veritas
We had a jolly table with Erica Obermeyer, cellarmaster of
Graham Beck and Niel Germishuys, her partner
The menu for dinner. It was not a
great display of culinary arts
A soufflé was prepared for 760 people.
It was cold, as was the calamari
and rather hard to cut
Steak and potatoes for 760 people
The band was good and many people
stayed to dance after the awards
Shante Hutton from wine.co.za looking
extremely glamorous.
Elegant couple Mr and Mrs Johan de Wet
of de Wetshof in Robertson. His father
Danie de Wet was recognised as a Living Legend for his pioneer work with white
wine cultivars in South Africa, particularly Chardonnay, amongst other things.
A delighted Erica with her two double
gold medals : One for the 2014 Graham Beck Pheasants Run Sauvignon Blanc
The other for the Graham Beck 2012
Ridge Syrah
Frans Smit of Spier Wines and the
Spier table celebrating their six double gold and several other medals. And
this was after he had a very good day at
the CWG auction. He was walking on air
JC Bekker of Boschendal and his team lso had reasons for celebration
Johan Malan of Simonsig with Simonsig winemaker Debbie Thompson
The cheese platter served with boiled
apple and onion ‘relish’
Winnie Bowman juggling some of the
winning brandies for her table
Celebration on the dance floor
Dawie Malan of Anthonie Rupert and friends
And finally... your carriage awaits
© John & Lynne Ford, Adamastor & Bacchus 2014
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