“I feel like a judge on MasterChef. The nasty one” said Nederburg Auction keynote speaker Mike Veseth, wine economist from Seattle. And from the proceedings this morning, its clear to see why.

The new auction hall is intimate with a studio feel. Not surprising, as it was the set for MasterChefSA and with the sequel scheduled in which Nederburg will again feature, the TV auction format looks set to remain. Full marks to Nederburg for realizing that wine alone is not enough. Big Brother and Idols is now so much a part of popular culture, a TV auction format is a nobrainer.