At lunch today at the Nederburg Auction with Christopher Bates, young sommelier of the year, I learnt a new word. A touron is a touristic moron. The kind of person who bellies up to the tasting counter with a chirpy “do you have any white wine”? Tourons were on his mind after spending the week at Cape Wine 2012.

Les Tourons is also a premier cru vineyard in Beaune producing Pinot Noir – the kind of wine SA should not make according to Christopher. “I can buy Oregon and French cheaper”. And Hamilton-Russell too as its $30 a bottle, cheaper than in SA.

“SA should forget about Sauvignon Blanc and focus on Chenin Blanc. You could do for Chenin what New Zealand did for Sauvignon Blanc. But you need to work on your styles – the best wines have too much wood and many could benefit from a little more residual sugar. How much? It’s not a number thing – its all about balance.”