Food & Wine News South Africa

Judging panel for Diners Club Winelist Awards announced

Peter Goffe-Wood, MasterChef South Africa judge, will be one of the judges in this year's Diners Club Winelist Awards. Goffe-Wood will be joined by Marilyn Cooper, who heads the Cape Wine Academy; sommelier Miguel Chan; JP Rossouw, author of the respected dining guide Rossouw's Restaurants; Nikki Dumas, restaurant wine list specialist; as well as by leading wine critics and judges Fiona McDonald and Christine Rudman.

Also on this year's panel, again chaired by veteran wine critic and author Dave Hughes, is Matthew van Heerden, the reigning Diners Club Young Winemaker of the Year, from Uva Mira Vineyards near Somerset West.

Expertise will raise the bar

Hughes said he was delighted with the composition of this year's panel line-up. "Every member of the team has a keen appreciation of the integral part wine plays in any dining experience. Their expertise in the field will most certainly raise the bar for participants in achieving the top honours."

Restaurants, hotels and guest houses countrywide are invited to submit their wine lists for the competition which is judged on the basis of selection, balance, presentation and the extent to which it complements the menu. Details and entry forms can be found at www.dinersclub.co.za.

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