I am playing horrendous catch-up at the moment what with one thing and another. Some lovely events I have been invited to have had to be turned down. Some I’ve been to, but am not sure I’m going to be able to write up such as the sunset cruise to launch Pongracz half bottles of fizz – fun, but a tad bizarre in this weather! But this is actually something I believe in quite strongly, so even though it took place a shaming fortnight ago (possibly more), I still want to tell you about it.

Semillon is a forgotten variety in this country. We’re all drinking Sauvignon Blanc by the gallon still, Chardonnay will always have its supporters, Chenin is making a big effort to raise its profile left, right and centre and anything from the Rhone is shrouded with the uber-coolness of the Swartland crew and their experimental combinations. And in the midst of this is Semillon, still valued as a blending partner (particularly with Sauvignon Blanc) but otherwise left on the shelf – literally in most cases.