Returning to SA on KLM from the Venice Biennale last month, I was surprised to be offered wine from Brazil (!), Argentina, Chile, Spain and France on board, the wines to be delivered at home. Pity there’s nothing from SA.

The various wines had been matched to paintings by Vincent van Gogh, which may be quite a tenuous connection, and offered as the Art of Wine. I wonder if Juliet Cullinan knows as that was her catchphrase?

Impresario Michael Fridjhon did something similar many moons ago when he linked sketches by William Kentridge with various SA wine brands to raise funds for the Magic Flute. Pity he didn’t pull an Art of Wine wheeze when he was wine consultant to SA Airways.

For according to City Press the airline now chooses wine on the basis of R20,000 bribes paid by producers to SAA food and beverage head Bongi Sodladla. Will these opportunistic producers ever be named and shamed if the report is true? Will Veritas give Bongi a special award for wine marketing? Will Vinpro issue guidelines on the quantum for a fair bribe?