What kind of message is First National Blanc sending SA consumers in the complexion of the 7 judges chosen for their annual FNB Sauvignon Bank Top 10 Competition?

Charles Hopkins, cellar master at De Grendel and well-known wine judge, will be the convenor of the judging panel which includes the likes of Cathy van Zyl: Master of Wine, Richard Kershaw: winemaker and MW, Winnie Bowman: Cape Wine Master, Trizanne Barnard: winemaker and entrepreneur behind Trizanne Signature Wines, Christian Eedes: wine writer and online Wine Mag editor, and Narina Cloete: winemaker and experienced wine judge.

How culturally diverse is that? Surely if the Springboks choose a rainbow team to loose to the Japanese, SBIG could do the same? Once again judging takes place at Nederburg, a brand which makes several very nice Sauvignons Banks themselves. Hoe werk dit? What an opportunity missed to spread the luv and host the tasting at a hotel coming out of the slack winter season. It might even encourage them to serve the stuff to their guests… After all, FNB are paying and banksters are the only ones with cash at the minute.

The press release goes on “234 wines were entered into the competition, 15.8% up from last year. Not only does this contest promote innovation excellence and provide recognition to those endeavouring to make wines of pure distinction, but it also highlights this dynamic varietal of wine among competitors, both locally and abroad.  In addition, the competition supplies a platform for winemakers to benchmark their wines against the best in the country, promoting the pursuit of excellence and recognition for the winemaker and his or her brand.”

The big joke is that black sommeliers dominate service at Cape Town’s best restaurants and hotels like The Test Kitchen, Constantia Uitsig, the One & Only, the 12 Apostles and Ellerman House. Let’s hope they get the message and buy a less monochrome cultivar for their establishments. SBIG have shot themselves in the foot so badly, it looks like they’re wearing crocs.