The news that UK household incomes adjusted for tax and inflation fell by 0.8% last year can’t be good news for SA wine growers as the UK is by far their largest export destination. An increase in VAT this year and an above inflation rise in duty on wine last week will increase the pain. This is the first time in 30 years that UK household incomes have been slammed into reverse.

The sole light on the horizon is rousing advice from entrepreneurs like Sir Richard Branson of Virgin fame who writes in the Telegraph “now is the time for young, enthusiastic and nimble companies to set up and thrive.” SA exporters can start by taking a leaf out of the smiling jumper’s flight manual, as Dickie reports “the inaugural flight of Virgin Atlantic almost brought the group down. We had worked like mad for six months to get the first flight off from London to Newark and it had been a resounding success – fuelled in part by 70 crates of champagne.”

Anel, Jan & Nicolas: Next Level MCC tasters

The low alcohol profile of SA MCC (typically around 11.5%) fits with the more sober circumstances plus competitive pricing against the competition (Champagne) should give SA MCC producers the elusive Branson bounce.