Sunday 21 July saw 15 nervous finalists take on the last leg of the South African Wine Tasting Championships, where they got to experience what to expect at the World Blind WineTasting Championships which will be held in France in October in Chambord, organised by French magazine La Revue du Vin de France. They were presented with 12 wines, tasted completely blind. These are 12 wines from all over the world, so a really tough ask. The contestants then had to identify as much as possible about each wine - the Country, Producer, Vintage, Cultivar and Appellation (origin). This is no easy task - as there are thousands of wines worldwide and to nail it down to 12 and get the answers right means you have to have had plenty of experience tasting wines from all over the world. Nederburg has been a sponsor and supporter now for 3 years - and so with their assistance, Coach Jean Vincent Ridon managed to source some really interesting wines.from Canada, Switzerland, France, Portugal, New Zealand, Austria, Italy, Spain and of course South Africa. #TeamNederburg - the top 4 tasters for 2019 - showed that it really does help to taste international wines often, as they are all members of a tasting group called ''Mooiwyners'' in Stellenbosch - who collectively have tasted more than 100 wines in the last while during preparations for the Finals. Congratulations to #TeamSA2019 #TeamNederburg... Anton Swarts (CWM) - who also walked away with the Inaugural wine.co.za Top Taster trophy Anita Streicher-Nel Heidi Kritzinger Cyril Meidinger Chris Groenewald (reserve) This is the last year that non-South Africans can fly with TeamSA to France, as the rules have changed and as from 2020 - only permanent residents and South African Citizens can be part of TeamSA. Look out for more on the team on wine.co.za when they go on an extraordinary trip to France with coach, tour-guide, driver and #flyingsommelier par excellence, Jean Vincent Ridon. We wish them well for the World Champs - and hope they can unseat Belgium who are the 2018 champions. ,,