On the grapevine

South Africa drinks again: At last the ban on sales of alcohol in South Africa has been lifted.

This was the third suspension of sales, which has cost South Africa over £830m in lost sales and the risk of 18,000 people losing their jobs. The country’s era of prohibition started last March and has been intermittently revived several times, all with the aim of preventing local hospitals from being overwhelmed by alcohol-influenced trauma, as well as Covid 19.

While we can all understand the need to keep hospitals working, the almostclosure of the wine industry has cost South Africa and its workers dear. With no furlough schemes to take advantage of, farming communities have gone hungry and wine companies have stepped in to keep villages fed.

The real crisis affecting South Africa now is tank space.

There are workers out in the vineyards already picking the 2021 harvest, while tanks are still full of

2020 wine. The solution is to head out this weekend and buy a bottle of South African wine. Try the Co-op’s Fairtrade Cabernet Sauvignon at just £6.50 for good value, cassis-filled drinking.

Fiendish Quiz: I was astonished at the huge number of entries for the festive quiz, especially since the prize is wine rather than a trip to a vineyard. I am still ploughing through them all, and hope to have results by next week.

Deliveries: While bad weather and social distancing continues, why not ring your local merchant and get them to deliver wine to your door? Most have established delivery rounds and they will be delighted to help refill your wine rack.