Veritas: a spirited thought

For the first time in the competition’s twenty year history, brandy was included in the Veritas mix this year and five Double Gold and nine Gold medals were awarded last Friday night. With forty entries, this translates to a golden hit rate of 35% as opposed to 11% for wines (64 Double Gold and 130 Golds from 1700 entries). Does this mean SA brandies are three times better than SA wines or did the extra alcohol levels in the spirits translate to greater enthusiasm among judges?

A glamorous young couple wait for brandy balloons

A glamorous young couple (blogger Clare Mack and Diners Club winner Clayton Reabow) wait for brandy balloons

Brandies were served to the 850 guests after dinner but logistics tripped up service delivery as glasses were not forthcoming. Many new friends were made in the queue, waiting for balloons.