The Cape's controversial auction

This is the first of three articles about South African wine that we'll we publishing this week – JR.

NOTE: Tim James has kindly corrected me on a couple of points I made below – TC.

'Rianie Strydom was not the first female member (though there were no women when she joined). Norma Ratcliffe (Warwick) was a long-time member, and Louise Hofmeyr (Welgemeend) was a member for a while.

As a matter of interest – few of the CWG auction wines are actually submitted to the Platter Guide for tasting.'

First held in 1985, when it looked as though the...