MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release 2014.09.11

YOUNG WINE WRITERS INVITED TO SHOWCASE TALENT
Aspiring young wine writers will be pleased to know that entries are now open for the Veritas Young Wine
Writers Competition 2014. The competition, presented by the SA National Wine Show Association
(SANWSA), is aimed at identifying exciting new voices in the wine industry, and generating increased
public interest in all aspects of responsible wine enjoyment.
According to Charles Hopkins, Chairman of SANWSA, the competition presents an opportunity for the
wine industry to engage with the next generation of wine enthusiasts on various current issues related to
wine. "The rapidly evolving digital era has created so many platforms for sharing information, and as
stakeholders in the wine industry we have a responsibility to ensure that as a collective, we are part of the
discussion surrounding SA Wine, and that we help to cultivate a culture of wine interest and knowledge in
a new generation of readers and consumers. We hope that this competition will allow creative young
opinions to be heard, thereby stimulating a vibrant and dynamic dialogue on all matters wine-related."
South African citizens/residents between the ages of 18 and 35 are invited to submit two entries, an
article and a blog post. The article of 800 words must be written on the following subject:
The SA wine industry after 20 years of democracy: an overview of what happened and with
special reference to how can we kick start the stagnant local market in the future.

The blog of 300 words to be written on:
The Best Value Wines one white and one red wine - that I have tasted in 2014.

The winner will receive a lucrative cash prize of R15 000 and the runner-up R7 500, and entries written in
any of South Africa's 11 official languages may be submitted. The entries will be judged by a panel of
distinguished South African wine writers, and evaluated according to the following criteria:
Content must reflect accuracy, readability, information, entertainment and education.
Accuracy attention must be given to spelling and grammar.
Reasoning the ability to present a premise and conclusion, or an argument.
Communication/narrative the skill applied to engaging and sharing information with
a reader.

Persons in full-time employment as wine writers are not allowed to enter, nor previous winners of the
competition. Entries must be submitted in MS Word format to admin@veritas.co.za, accompanied by a
short CV with specific details of previous wine writing activities. The closing date for entries is Friday 24
October 2014 at 18:00. An entry form and full details are available from the Veritas office on
admin@veritas.co.za or tel 021 863 1599.
Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and join our Google+ circle.
ENDS
Issued by Marlene Truter Communications
tel 021 438 6836 l 083 294 6060
e-mail marlene@marlenetruter.co.za
On behalf of Veritas Awards
tel 021 863 1599
e-mail admin@veritas.co.za