Top selection of vintage motors

FRANSCHHOEK never fails to come up with new ways to tempt travellers to their town.

Next month the historic L’Ormarins estate, home to South Africa’s leading motoring museum, will be the venue for Franschhoek’s Winter Wines, when more than a dozen cellars will pour their products in the museum courtyard and winemakers will be on hand to elaborate on content and technique.

Even those who know little about cars cannot fail but admire the magnificent collection of vehicles on show, that range from rare vintage to modern classics. Tickets, which cost R180, give entrance to the museum and include tastings, are available from www.webtickets. co. za. Bookings can also be made through the Franschhoek Wine Valley office on 021 876 2861.

Cape organisers are calling for entries to two competitions, involving winemaking and tasting.

The annual Veritas Awards, South Africa’s best known contest, is ready for entries for this year’s contest. About 1 700 market-ready wine and brandy entries are expected, with judging of brandies taking place on September 13, followed by the wine assessments from September 16-20. Closing date for entries is August 21. Winners will be announced on October 5. Visit www.veritas.co.za for more information and entry forms or call Elsabe Ferreira on 021 863 1599.

If you are over 18, enjoy good wine and possess a developed palate, you may want to enter the SA Wine Tasting Championship, an invitation to winelovers to put their talents to the test.

Organiser Jean Vincent Ridon, a French winemaker who has settled in Cape Town, is calling for entries from competitors who will first enjoy a tasting presented by some of our top cellars. Contestants then take part in a blind challenge where they have to identify some of the wines they recently sampled. A final test, a knowledge quiz, will help pinpoint a winning Team South Africa, who will go to a world championship.

The contest is on August 31 and those interested should contact Ridon on 021 422 5206 or e-mail him at sawtc2013@gmail.com.