The weekly Good Value Guru blind tastings held at the Taj Hotel – now a whale-free zone – are one of the most cost-effective ways for producers to calibrate their wines against the competition. The cost is zero – just drop off two bottles at the Pendock Wine Gallery @ Taj to sign up for the process. Producers like Tierhoek (below) located in the distant Piekenierskloof, are enthusiastic supporters.

Another benefit is the chance to meet new consumers, like the two ladies (below) tasting Chenin Blanc last week. How else will the complexion of SA wine change?

Next Wednesday, the category is Pinotage and we’ve already had 40 wines entered. The whole process received a vote of confidence from Ultraliquors with Mark Norrish sending along his entire range of Buyers Own Brand wines while Nederburg has also signed up.

When alcohol advertising is tightened up – surely now a question of “when?” rather than “if?” – initiatives like this will be one of the few channels to market left.