He walked through the door of The Marine Hotel in Hermanus. Upright and neatly dressed with every hair in its place. My nervous jabber met with well-considered responses.

Tinus van Niekerk is an international wine consultant, winemaker, wine writer and wine judge. He divides his time between South Africa and his French cellar, Domaine le Deves. He stopped in Hermanus to communicate an interesting

Sauvignon Blanc philosophy to Hermanus FynArts festival goers.

Showing allegiance to one of his clients, Spar, Tinus brought three Sauvignon Blancs including Spar’s own label – Le Geminus – to taste. Much to the amazement of attendees he decanted the Sauvignon Blancs and uncovered many myths about Sauvignon Blanc’s longevity. I will certainly keep an eye out for Spar’s Le Geminus and start decanting white wine as well to follow the example set by Tinus.