SANWSA Reintroduces Wine Evaluation Programme To Develop Skilled Judges And Elevate Industry Standards

The long-established examination for wine evaluation by aspiring wine judges in South Africa has been upgraded and will henceforth be presented by the SA National Wine Show Association (SANWSA) – a significant boost to refine and maintain judging standards in wine competitions.

This wine industry organisation’s re-instatement of the Wine Evaluation Examination under the Veritas auspices is based on a similar course developed in the 1990s by the judging pioneer Prof Joël van Wyk and later continued and refined by Charl Theron. The late Prof Van Wyk was head of the Department of Viticulture at the University of Stellenbosch and Charl Theron is an eminent wine production and training specialist and former lecturer at the US.

The purpose of this upgraded course, according to SANWSA chairperson Christo Pienaar, is to expand the pool of qualified wine judges in the South African wine industry and ensuring the highest standards. “The Association is perfectly suited to this, as the SA Young Wine Show – also presented by us – has for years already included trainee tasters in its various judging panels.

“We are particularly pleased to present this course in future for our dynamic industry with its variety of competitions and showdowns, where the SANWSA takes the lead with its prominent awards.”

The Wine Evaluation Examination is being presented in cooperation with South Africa Wine and enjoys acknowledgement by this national organisation, whose Manager: People Development, Ms Kachné Ross, said, “We are committed to actively support this process through relevant insights, continuous learning and sharing of best practices throughout the whole value chain.

“We believe in the value of partnerships, especially for human development and strengthening our industry. By closer collaboration between Veritas and South Africa Wine we can utilise collective expertise and raise standards in a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable wine industry.”

The Veritas Wine Evaluation Examination will be held over two days and the participants will attend two training sessions, as well as a final assessment session. A reference panel comprising three experienced judges, with knowledge and expertise in wine over an extensive spectrum, will manage the training and assessment.

The first session will include some 40 white wines and the second about 40 reds. The focus will be on three criteria for judging, namely quality differentiation, wine fault identification and consistency.

During the second day’s assessment, 50 wines will be judged, where the same training criteria will be applied. Interaction between the panel and candidates will form a vital component of the training and assessment. The successful participants will receive certificates.

Candidates require at least five years’ experience in the wine industry, as well as a relevant wine industry position and interest in serving in tasting panels at wine competitions.

The first Veritas Wine Evaluation Examination takes place on 12 – 13 May – at the Veritas Office in the Simonsvlei Business Hub, Paarl. The cost for the two days, including one luncheon, is R3 500 per person.

The examination is limited to 20 participants and two more such examinations are to be held on 28 – 29 July and 6 – 7 October. Enquiries and bookings can be made at [email protected] or tel 021 863 1599.