With Dave King’s Quoin Rock coming up for auction, the media is full of speculation as to who will buy the spectacular 158ha wine estate worth “more than R120-million.” Speculation focuses on “billionaire Johann Rupert and banking tycoons Paul Harris and GT Ferreira.”

Yet Uncorked hears that none of the three are interested. Seems the auctioneer sent them brochures and has been leaking the scoop to the press that they are interested. It’s the old auctioneer’s trick of soliciting bids from the chandelier when interest in a lot is slow. Clear the decks for an explanation from Auction Alliance and a grovelling apology or three.

Meanwhile the topic on every anorak’s lips is what happened to the Quoin Rock Nicobar 2009 Sauvignon Blanc? It was the best wine on the shortlist for the recent Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group blind tasting yet failed to make the Top Ten. The usual stuff up, or something more sinister?