SAA’s Annual On-board Wine Selection Underway

 

Paarl. 17 October 2008. South African Airways (SAA) has begun the process of choosing it’s on board wine selection for 2008.  
 
This is an annual event whereby SAA invites prominent wine connoisseurs and industry experts to taste entries from South African producers and decide on the best.
 
Wines are then purchased by SAA and placed on board all our flights and lounges for our customers to enjoy.
 
The process has allowed SAA for the last 21 years to celebrate South Africa’s highly recognised wine industry and to further promote up and coming producers.
 
“Wine, just like the concept of flying, was once thought only to be indulged in by the very fortunate. People are now beginning to realise that both are for all to enjoy.
 
“We hope that the SAA wine selection has over the last two decades encouraged more to become involved in the industry and to realise its potential as a career,” says Rushj Lehutso, SAA General Manager Commercial.  
 
Approximately 1200 wines were entered into this year’s selection process by local winemakers.
 
The judges who took on the meticulous task of tasting each and every wine this year are:
•    Tatiana Marcetteau – Sommelier at the Arabella Sheraton Hotel
•    Yegas Naidoo – an SAA Voyager Platinum card holder and recognised wine taster internationally
•    Dave Hughes – Dave is a distiller, winemaker, wine auctioneer, international wine and spirit judge.
•    Eunice Fried - a writer and lecturer, columnist of Global Traveler, director of the Annual Airline International Business Class Wine Competition
•    Elsa Carstens – Cellar Master at Audacia Wines
•    Duimpie Bayly – Cape wine master and Chairman of the SA National Wine Show Association
•    Pierre Marais – Wine consultant
•    Luvo Ntezo – Sommelier at the Twelve Apostles Hotel
•    Sandra Lotz – CEO of Paarl Vintners
•    Ginette De Fleuriot – CEO of Wine Sense
•    Dick Davidson – MD of Fairseat Cellars
•    Carmen Stevens – Wine Maker at Amani Vineyards
•    Bennie Howard – Cape Wine Master and Wine consultant.
 
“SAA is most grateful to all the judges for making their time and expert knowledge available to this process. We place our complete trust in their judgment in order for us to provide our customers the best South Africa has to offer,” says Lehutso.
 
The judging is a rigorous process carefully monitored by independent auditors, Deloitte and Touche.
 
On the first 2 days, judges are divided into groups of three to score the 750ml wines within their categories using a 100 point system. The auditors compile the scores identifying the top scoring wines in each category.
 
The remaining categories of Port, Method Cap Classique and 187ml wines will be tasted and scored by the panel of judges.
 
To establish the Trophy winning Red and White wine, judges are presented with the top scoring wines and once again score and rank them.
 
Wine estates of the top wines selected are awarded at the SAA Wine Awards, which will take place later this year.
 
The categories are Best Red Wine, Best White Wine, Best Port and Best Method Cap Classique.

 

 

Issued by:

 

Robyn Chalmers
SAA Head Group Corporate Affairs
+27 11 978 3729
+27 83 282 6761

Email: robynchalmers@flysaa.com