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As Veritas and WOSA get it together by Cassie du Plessis
Four years ago, the Veritas winners were presented for tasting in Cape Town... during the following year, also in Johannesburg...then, also in London. And this year, Cape Town, Johannesburg, London and Amsterdam...
Now there's talk of taking in Stockholm and New York next time around; who knows what momentum may yet be achieved? The sky is the limit, with the newfound spirit of co-operation among the Cape's wine exporters, as well as the ever more solid support for Veritas from Wines of South Africa (WOSA) and a sound financial foundation from the new major sponsor, Santam insurance company.
Three years ago, the annual WOSA Tasting was still held in its "old form" in London, at the Commonwealth Institute in Kensington, to be exact. The feedback was less than inspiring; so it was not held last year, but replaced by the first Veritas trade and media tasting, at the posh Inter-Continental Hotel at Hyde Park Corner, to be exact. The feedback was decidedly more positive, but the UK trade wanted to see more commercially available wines as well.
This brought about the twofold onslaught this year of both a repeat Veritas tasting and a "generic tasting" for the trade - simultaneously at the same venue. It seems that the magic formula has been found. Or has it? The participants and visitors seemed to be over the moon this time, but there are reservations about certain aspects of these shows.
Yet, before one dwells on these, it must be stated that extremely stylish, polished and professional South African presentation was a new milestone in industry co-operation and somewhat of a miracle to achieve bearing in mind all the different interests and objectives to be accommodated.
When it became apparent that WOSA's members insisted on a parallel tasting for the trade this year, there were strong reservations in the Veritas ranks. There were fears that the old problem of poorer quality wines from "chancers" would raise its ugly head if there's no quality control. Also that the trade tasting would attract the attention away from the small, focused tasting of Veritas double gold and gold medal winners.
And, on that first morning, Monday 23 October, it initially seemed that Veritas would indeed miss the attention. But, as the more serious tasters moved in, the initially quiet Veritas hall started filling, just about to the level where a serious visitor could go about his business unhindered.
Both the Veritas and WOSA personnel were eventually elated about the numbers and quality of the turnout. In fact, the combined effort in London was probably the biggest and most successful wine promotion ever staged abroad for Cape wines. Sophie Waggett, the livewire new WOSA representative running their recently established permanent London office, enthused that "we're about to take England by storm".
"We've maintained the momentum of Cape Wine 2000 (the WOSA promotion for some 100 members of the international media and trade in the Cape in April)," she said.
The proof of the pudding will be in the eating - it remains to be heard what the buzz is among the trade, to be seen whether actual sales are generated and what the media writes - but in terms of size, quality of wines and of packaging, as well as classy presentation and slick organising, this double barrel show certainly represented an all-time high.
The benefit of having competent organisers at the WOSA UK office showed through in all respects.
At the debriefing following the two-day London show, Veritas chairman Danie de Wet said to his entourage, "Today, our wines spoke in your hands".
The two London tastings were attended by more than 400 "quality guests", as Ms Waggett stated. In addition, more than 200 agents and producers were involved with running 88 tables at the generic tasting, while there were 24 winemakers at the Veritas tasting.
With the exception of Asda, who had staff problems, every major retail outlet was there, including Tesco, Sainsbury, Safeway, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, Oddbins, Unwins and the Parisa Group.
Very significant was the fact that - a far cry from last year's feeble turnout - the press came in numbers and included about 12 top UK wine writers. In fact, Antony Rose of the Independent was seen there on both days.
Reservations? Well, amidst all the enthusiasm at the debriefing, it became apparent from some comments that the generic had perhaps been too late in the year. Veritas, on the other hand, cannot be shifted earlier to allow participants to prepare their wines for entry. One authoritative observer said in an interview that he did not see any practical value in having a trade tasting so late.
However, it was with a spirit of achievement that a much smaller group left for Amsterdam the next day - for a one-day tasting of just more than 100 Veritas double golds and golds at the delightful Rosarium Restaurant complex in Amstel Park on the outskirts of the city.
Here the preparations had been done as competently by Anneke Tot, who runs her own PR outfit from Rotterdam, and her team. Altogether 20 winemakers were in attendance, with some other members of the Veritas organisational team.
Anneke said later in an interview that the turnout of more than 175 members of the press, and hotel, catering and restaurant industries had been very encouraging, albeit only 10% of those invited. It must be kept in mind, she said, that although Holland had become leading export market for South Africa, the awareness of Veritas was still quite limited there.
She had, however, heard criticism that some top South African names were not present, and that the visitors would have liked to taste more different Pinotage wines.
The visitors included about seven members of the local wine writing fraternity, among whom Robert Leenaers, who is also a Veritas judge.
Anneke said she felt this was a good start and that she hoped it would be built upon in future. The Dutch had proven their interest both in the market place and at the tasting.
Meanwhile, in South Africa, one afternoon-evening tasting each in Cape Town and Johannesburg were, once again sell-outs - respectively in the Cape Sun-Intercontinental Hotel and the Crowne Plaza Holiday Inn, Sandton. More than 500 visitors, including members of the public and invited trade and media attended in each case, in addition to hundreds who purchased tickets.
These tastings have proven that the South African wine quality, diversity and marketing and promotion is in the fast lane - one with risks, but plenty of potential and reward.
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Right: The WOSA tasting in full swing.
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