Uitkyk Glass Memoires 2011.

How much and where? R130, www.vinoteque.co.za

Why? Cape Legends marketing director Ross Sleet left the leafy purlieus of Oak City on Christmas Eve, direction Tanzania, to take up a marketing job with MMI, one of the largest East African liquor distributors.

This fresh and limey bubbly from Uitkyk on the Simonsberg was one of his finest marketing achievements. French in everything but price.

This is just the ticket for sundowners in the Serengeti or life on a beach in Zanzibar.

It’s a wonderful melding of European tradition and African sunshine, and only 12% alcohol, so a second bottle is permissible.

If more marketers would realise that South Africa is the vineyard of the continent, bubblies like this could become the toast of Africa.

Labelled “extra brut”, we’re not talking nightclub deodorant here, but no sugar. Dry as a Karoo drought and nearly as long, the Naked Chef would approve – but not for school dinners. Rather long and languid picnics with gravadlax and dill.

Rating: *****

***** Heart of Glass (Blondie)

**** Alice through the Looking Glass

*** Glass half full

** Glass houses

* Glass ceiling