VERITAS GLORY CROWNS A GOLD RUSH YEAR FOR SOUTH AFRICAN BRANDY
Christo Pienaar | Chairman Veritas, Jaco van der Walt Van Ryn | representing Heineken, Pieter de Bod | KWV,
Gerard Schreuder Richelieu | representing Heineken
Photo credit: Andrew Gorman
South Africa, 16 October 2023; South African Brandy once again showed its world-class excellence following the unveiling of winners at the 33rd Veritas Awards gala dinner in Cape Town this week. Stellar achievements saw local producers of South Africa’s most luxurious amber spirit claim seven medals including five of the sought-after Double Gold awards.
Veritas is the longest running and most prestigious wine and brandy competition in South Africa and is synonymous with excellence in wine and brandy. The participation of international judges re-affirms the global reputation of South African Brandy, also most recently highlighted at amongst others, the International Spirits Challenge (ISC), World Brandy Awards and International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC).
Champions at the Veritas Awards 2023
Heineken Beverages (formerly Distell) excelled in the brandy category with four Double Gold and one Gold medal at the Veritas Awards this year. KWV was in second place with three Double Gold and four Gold.
Heineken’s Double Gold medals were for Richelieu International Premium Brandy; Richelieu 10YO Vintage Old Brandy; Van Ryn’s 15YO Single Potstill Brandy; and Van Ryn’s 20YO Single Potstill Brandy.
For KWV (Warshay), the Double Gold winners were KWV VS Brandy; KWV 12YO Potstill Brandy; and, KWV 15 YO Alambic Blend Potstill Brandy.
Shining at International Spirits Challenge 2023
Receiving thousands of entries from over 70 countries worldwide makes the ISC a truly global competition. South African brandies received 18 awards, with the trophy as World’s Best Brandy going to Van Ryn’s Single Potstill Brandy 12YO. The distillery also won the title in May at the World Brandy Awards for the Van Ryn’s 15YO.
In addition to the trophy at ISC this year, Heineken Beverages won 11 medals for its brandies, including two Double Golds. Warshay’s KWV won six medals, of which four were Double Golds.
The stars at IWSC 2023
South African Brandy also excelled in April this year, at the International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC). Among entries from 26 countries, two Gold medals were awarded to South African Brandies: KWV 20 Year Old XXO Brandy and Viceroy 10 Year Old Brandy.
Christelle Reade-Jahn | Director SA Brandy Foundation, Charles Hopkins | Veritas Board member and de Grendel’s wine maker, Siobhan Thompson | CEO of WoSA, de Wet Viljoen | Veritas Board member, Anton Smuts | South African Wine Board member.
Photo credit: Andrew Gorman
Sample excellence at the Standard Bank WineX Show – 2023
Many of these fine brandies as well as a wider selection of the category will be available to taste and enjoy at the this year’s Standard Bank WineX showcase to be held in Johannesburg at the Sandton Convention Centre between October 25th and 27th. This comprensive showcase of the finest wines and potstill brandies in South Africa will take place from 17:00 to 21:00. Tickets on sale via Webtickets.
Marlene Bester | Master Distiller and General Manager of Van Ryn’s Distillery & Pieter de Bod | KWV Brandy Master
For more information about South African Brandy visit www.sabrandy.co.za
For comment, contact Chrristelle Reade-Jahn – Director of the South African Brandy Foundation via christelle@sabrandy.co.za
For press and media assistance contact Ian Hamilton Manley via ian@publicity.co.za or call +27 (0 (82) 826 0456.
#SABrandy #VeritasAwards #SABrandyFoundation #ShareTheSpirit
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