Breakfast in the KLM business class lounge in Amsterdam this morning and my first wine in Europe is a Pinotage Blanc 2013 from Aaldering in Devon Valley. Well done to Fons Aaldering who does more to promote Pinotage that the Pinotage Association – and he does it on his own dime. I wonder if he banks with ABSA who bankroll the Association each year with well over R1 million. Fons should be co-opted onto the Association immediately if not sooner.

For Fons was the producer who put the ridiculous Pinotage hater Lettie Teague of the Wall Street Journal well and truly in her place. Perhaps he should tackle Nina Caplan of the New Statesman whose recent rant against Pinotage was an ignorant scandal.