The results of the 2009 Veritas awards have just been announced. Veritas remains probably the most important local wine competition, in terms, that is, of widespread recognition and credibility amongst ordinary wine drinkers. It is also the largest, though this year's number of entries (1728) was slightly down on last year's and well short of the 2004 record.

This year 40 wines (about 2% of the entry) won double gold, 109 (6%) gold and 444 (25%) silver. Best performer this year, as reported in the press release, was Spier, with 5 double gold and 6 gold medals. All double gold winners are listed at the end of this article; full results are available on the Veritas website.

Wine lovers can taste the top wines at the following functions - booking at Computicket:

• Cape Town: VOC Centre (Southern Sun Cape Sun, Strand Street); 21 October 2009 from 17:00 until 20:00. Tickets cost R120.

• Gauteng: Bill Gallagher Room, Sandton Convention Centre; 27 October from 17:00 until 20:00 where tickets cost R130.

• Durban: Function Room, Deloittes Head Office; 5 November from 17:00 until 20:00. Tickets cost R100.

• A selection of the winners will also be available for tasting in Port Elizabeth (Squires Legendary Grill on 10 November) and Knysna (Kilzers Kitchen on 11 and 12 November). Bookings are to be made at the venues.

Further information from the Veritas website.

2009 Veritas double gold medal winners:

Aan de Doorns Rooi Muskadel 2008
Alexanderfontein Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Anura Pinotage Reserve 2008
Anura Sauvignon Blanc Reserve 2009
Boplaas Cape Tawny N/V
Boplaas Cape Vintage 2006
Buitenverwachting Rough Diamond 2006
Cape Point Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Cape Point Semillon 2007
De Wetshof NLH 1991
Desiderius 2001
Diemersfontein Carpé Diem Pinotage 2007
Doolhof The Minotaur 2007
Engelbrecht Els Proprietor's Blend 2007
Ernie Els Ltd Release 2005
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Fleur du Cap Unfiltered Merlot 2006
Graham Beck Pheasant's Run Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Groote Post Chenin Blanc 2009
Guardian Peak Lapa Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Guardian Peak Merlot 2008
Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2007
Longridge Merlot 2007
Merwida White Muscadel 2009
Monis Red Muscadel 2001
Môreson Premium Chardonnay 2008
Nederburg Private Bin R181 Merlot 2007
Nederburg Semillon NLH Private Bin 2007
Noble Hill Merlot 2005
Nuy Wit Muskadel 1986
Saronsberg Shiraz 2007
Spier Private Collection Chardonnay 2007
Spier Private Collection Pinotage 2007
Spier Private Collection Shiraz 2007
Table Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Thokozani Shiraz/Mourvèdre/Viognier 2008
Windmeul Cape Blend 2008
Windmeul Pinotage Reserve 2008
Woolworths Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve (Spier) 2007
Woolworths True to Terroir The Hutton Cabernet Sauvignon (Spier) 2007