100-year-old KWV shines at Veritas

Iconic South African wine and spirits company, KWV, returned to the country’s prestigious Veritas Wine Awards last weekend with a shining performance, securing no less than 8 Double Gold and 12 Gold medals overall for its wines and spirits – making it one of the top-performing company’s on the evening. The announcement was made at a prestigious gala dinner at the CTICC, attended by representatives from across the South African winelands.

From left: Christo Pienaar (SANWSA Chairperson), Wim Truter (KWV Chief Winemaker), Izele van Blerk (KWV Winemaker), Andri Le Roux (KWV Winemaker), Kobus vd Merwe (KWV Winemaker), Anneke du Plessis (KWV Wine buyer), Elsabé Ferreira (SANWSA Manager)

The Veritas Awards is the longest running wine and brandy competition in SA and is affectionally referred to as ‘South Africa’s Wine Oscars’. Close to 2,000 entries are received each year and judged by South Africa’s top wine judges and critics, with international wine judges included on some panels. Veritas is largely driven by consumer preferences, with judges valuing drinkability, wine structure and maturing ability when scrutinising wines – with the selection process for Double Gold winners being especially rigorous.

KWV’s most recent performance comes at a time when the company is reaching the end of a year-long centennial celebration and is a fitting illustration of the company’s unwavering commitment to consumers, continuing the KWV legacy of quality and consistency.

KWV was awarded Double Gold, or a rating of 90/100 or more, for the following premium wines:

The Mentors Canvas 2014

The Mentors Petit Verdot 2016

The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2014

And these Double Golds for its world-renowned brandies:

KWV 10 Year Barrel Select Potstill Brandy

KWV 12 Year Barrel Select Potstil Brandy

KWV 15 Year Alambic Blend Potstill Brandy

KWV XO 20 Year Potstill Brandy

KWV Imoya Fine Potstill Brandy

With another 10 wines and 2 brandies that achieved gold medals with scores of 86/100 or more points at Veritas, KWV enters the festive season with its trusted promise of excellence stronger than ever.

Illustrating the KWV team’s ability to make wines with exceptional aging potential, it was awarded Gold for the following wines in the Museum Class:

The Mentors Sémillon 2010

The Mentors Grenache Blanc 2011

The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc 2012

And Gold for the following wines:

The Mentors Sauvignon Blanc/Sémillon 2015

The Mentors Sémillon 2013

The Mentors Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

The Mentors Noble Late Harvest 2015

Classic Collection Cape Tawny NV

KWV Abraham Perold Tributum 2014

MCC:

Laborie Blanc de Blanc 2011

KWV also secured Gold for the following brandies, resulting in a full-house of top awards for its brandy portfolio. These were:

KWV Finest Blend 3 Year Brandy
KWV Superior Blend 5 year Brandy

The KWV Spirits team, Ilse du Toit (Manager Spirit Blending) and Pieter de Bod (Brandy Master)

“We are very excited to enter the festive season with this recognition of our award-winning and quality brandies. Our team of distillers are committed to making brandy that reflect the excellence of this remarkable spirit, and we are delighted that the consumer will be able to share in these accolades,” said Nuno Fernandes, Marketing Executive on KWV Spirits.

Liandra Kotzé, Marketing Executive for KWV Wines said: “It takes a strong company to remain relevant for 100 years and this relevance can only be achieved when there is an unwavering commitment to quality. These awards are testament that this commitment is a non-negotiable at KWV.”

Shop for KWV’s award-winning wines and brandies online at www.kwvonlineshop.co.za.

Issued by: FEED THAT BIRD COMMUNICATION CONSULTANTS
Pictures: SUPPLIED

©2018 Herman Lintvelt - WineTourismZA