Tasting academies are like buses – nothing for hours and then along come two in quick succession. Hot on the heels of the Michael Fridjhon/WINE magazine Wine Judging Academy which has some unspecified connection to the UCT Graduate School of Business, along comes a 10-week distance learning course under the auspices of the Department of Viticulture and Oenology at the University of Stellenbosch. Both courses cost the same – R3990 with the former offering “graduates” tasting berths on the controversial tasting panels of WINE magazine plus the chance at free samples galore as a Platter pundit. The Stellenbosch version dangles the carrot of tasting for the SA Wine & Spirits Board plus service at Veritas, the largest SA wine show.

From an academic perspective, the Stellenbosch option would seem to be the preferred one as successful candidates will receive a “Certificate in Wine Evaluation from Stellenbosch University.” As for me, I’m applying to McDonald’s for a certificate in hamburgers after the Golden Arches were declared an exam board by the UK government. I hope to then start an SA franchise awarding Masters of Food qualifications (MoF for short) that will complement the expected deluge of wine tasting qualifications.