When the Cape winemaker read of the cork problems on his 2010 white Bordeaux blend last week, he sprang into action and fired off an apology and a solution to restaurant manager Ruan Nieuwoudt at 54 on Bath.

“I understand that there were some problems with our wine at a recent function for which I would like to apologise. I’m not sure how much you have in stock but would it be acceptable to you for us to replace your purchase with our 2012 vintage? The 2012 is drinking superbly at present and was a stellar vintage for us.

Once again apologies for the inconvenience, 2010 was a good vintage for us and I’m trying to find out where the problem with the bottles might have occurred.”

This prompt reaction is a credit to SA wine and confirms the point that artist Christo Coetzee made in reverse when he famously destroyed all the paintings on an exhibition after many of them had been sold. An artist never relinquishes responsibility for an artwork.