Makro, home of the “biggest wine deal in Africa”, dropped a small bombshell of sorts this morning when their glossy wine catalogue dropped out of my Business Day and scared the cat. But as Claude Cockburn said of the “small earthquake in Chile” – urban legend’s dullest headline ever: “not many dead.”

The 2009 edition of Platter is scheduled for launch on Thursday November 13 at the Devon Valley Hotel at 17h00 for 17h30 (dress: smart casual, refreshments: five-star wines and light snacks) but eager winemakers can save the trip to the Shire and pop along to Makro from 19 October to check out their new ratings. Charles, your De Grendel Sauvignon Blanc 2008 got four stars. Well done!