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■ South Africa’s government has partially lifted an alcohol sales ban, imposed due to Covid-19. Trade body Vinpro welcomed the move but said intermittent bans since March 2020 have cost the industry 8 billion rand (£ 390m) in direct sales. MD Rico Basson said it was ‘ too late for some businesses’, while excess supply in some winery cellars would mean ‘ tough decisions’ as the 2021 harvest began.

■ Fifth growth Château du Tertre has been sold by the Albada Jelgersma family, which will focus on fellow Margaux estate Giscours and Caiarossa in Tuscany. Alexander van Beek, MD for the wineries, said there is ‘enormous determination to really put Giscours where it belongs’. The Helfrich family bought du Tertre with a ‘ French institutional investor’, which acquired the land.

■ Michelin has named 54 new one-star restaurants in its France 2021 guide, including L’Observatoire du Gabriel in Bordeaux, recently bought and renovated by the de Boüard family of Château Angélus. Chef Alexandre Baumard oversees the menu. The Michelin UK and Ireland guide awarded three stars to Hélène Darroze at The Connaught and Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill.

■ Seven luxury cases each containing two bottles of 30-year-old Irish whiskey and a Fabergé 18-karat yellow gold egg have been launched. The Craft Irish Whiskey Co created ‘ The Emerald Isle Collection’ boxes with Fabergé. A price wasn’t specified, but private auctions and events will be held ‘in key cities in 2021’. Fabergé said all proceeds from a first auction in February would go to charity.