.: Veritas Wine Awards dinner at the CTICC

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 25^th October in Johannesburg; Durban 5^th 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