More ambitious pricing but some decent wines too, with Australia, Argentina and South Africa leading the way

With screwcaps to the fore, the quality of the whites (particularly) and the reds here was amazing for the price. Rosé was another matter entirely

The Zulu king paid a visit to Camden market this week to attend the opening of a South African bar and restaurant

The inaugural Olmeca Margarita Contest was recently held by the Tahona Society, with a bartender from South Africa taking top honours.

England may be out of the FIFA World Cup, but there’s still a chance for the Brits to shine in South Africa…

Boutique South African winery Journey’s End has had a busy start to the year, not only acquiring new vineyards from a neighbouring Stellenbosch producer, but also opening a new cellar and wine-tasting centre earlier this month.

Solid, rather than great wines, and a return to dominance for South Africa

A smallish but dynamic section, our sommeliers found some really good, food-friendly wines here at prices that make them all well worth a look

Lots of wine, plenty of freshness, but not, for the most part, enough ambition. New World Sauvignon Blanc is a category that is rather treading water at the moment

Plenty of decent bottles and very few dogs meant that our tasters were positive about New World Chardonnay, though genuine excitement was in short supply

The usual mixture of styles, and a mixed bag of results too, with harsh criticism from the judges, but also more Gold Listed wines than ever before

New World Pinot’s strongest showing yet – and heartening signs of winemakers finding their feet with the grape as big fruit gets replaced with a more restrained style

Some very good wines here, with our tasters generally favouring those from the cooler climates and the mid-price points over expensive blockbusters

Chile, again, was the country to catch, with Gold Listed wines throughout the price points. On this evidence, the Kiwis and Aussies need to pull their socks up

Stellenbosch producer Spier is pulling out of the supermarket sector in early 2010, in favour of an aggressive push into the on-trade with a ‘restructured and extended’ portfolio. It will continue to supply specialist independent wholesalers.