Anni Dewani: the silver lining

Business Report blames the December Cape Town tourism meltdown on the much publicized Anni Dewani honeymoon murder. Yet ironically, the influx of UK journos to cover the tragedy had a positive result for at least one producer: Boer & Brit. As Stefan Gerber, the Boer in the equation, says “one of the reporters came out to visit us and we got increased coverage in the UK and in particular, a story in Decanter. Our exports are now flying.” Although quite why the self-styled “best wine magazine in the world” should be employing crime reporters, is not revealed. There may be scams aplenty in SA wine, but really…

Stefan Gerber, Nicky vd Walt and Zander van Niekerk

Stefan Gerber, Nicky vd Walt and Zander van Niekerk

Be that as it may, UK reportage of SA wine seems to be a commodity beyond value. Describing Ian Naudé’s Naudé White 2007 on his blog today, Christian Eedes, the Cape’s busiest wine blogger, commits perhaps the most egregious example of Cape Cultural Cringe to date, ending off his posting with “towards the end of last year Jancis Robinson MW recommended it in an FT Weekend article entitled “Do the White Thing” featuring 75 sure-fire whites and what greater endorsement can you get than that?”

Does Christian have a point? Robin von Holdt would probably agree as his controversial Top 100 SA Wines appointed controversial former UK wine columnist Tim Atkin as chairman. Is this an admission that Remington Norman MW was right in November when he said SA tasting panels of homemakersand picture framers don’t know what they’re doing? Probably.

Stop Press. This just in from someone calling themselves “Tim Atkin MW

Dear Neil

I know that journalistic accuracy is not your strong suit, but it is incorrect to refer to me, as you have done recently, as a “former wine columnist”. I no longer write for a national UK newspaper, but that’s my choice.

I currently write regular columns for four different publications, as well as publishing my own website and blog. I suspect that’s more columns than you publish.

You are welcome to your entertaining views about me and indeed South African wine, but I would advise you to correct your mistake.

Best wishes

Tim A