Exactly three months after I penned an open letter to Professor Kader Asmal, chair of the SA Wine Council, on the rash of tasting “qualifications” being offered, a short reply is received.

Thank you for your letter on this interesting topic. We have discussed the matter at the Board meeting of the Wine Council and concluded that however important the issues may be, neither the Council, nor any government agencies should intervene in matters of ‘taste’. Either the market or the noses of those accepted as knowledgeable persons qualified to pass judgment on the attributes of wine should be the determining factors.

Thank you again for raising this issue.

With my best wishes

Yours sincerely

Professor K Asmal, M.P.
Chairperson, S A Wine Council