We are fast approaching that time of year when all sorts of platitudes are preached, such as peace on earth, goodwill to all men, and meanwhile we still swear and make gestures at every other inconsiderate road user, and wonder why BMWs cost so much when they aren't even equipped with indicators.

(Sorry, that's a year-round mystery, and has nothing at all to do with the time of year.)

We go crazy on our credit cards, spend hours wondering what to buy some distant relative that we haven't seen since the last family funeral, and won't see again until the next one, and make impossible resolutions that are fortunately forgotten long before the hangover has gone.

The first 2 weeks of January are the busiest time of the year for people whose chosen career is a "health and fitness resource membership consultant" - you know, those glowing-with-health, you-too-can-have-a-body-like-mine, fake-tanned students who find themselves out of a job by the middle of January.  Fortunately for "Mr Virgin", you didn't read the small print and will now continue to pay for something that you are too embarrassed to use for the rest of the year.

However, in this time of goodwill to all men who don't cut you up on the N1, you will be pleased to hear that you do not have to saddle yourself with mortgage-sized debt just to have a few bottles of wine to wash down the turkey-and-boerewors roll.  As usual, if you are prepared to spend just a little time looking, there are some great value wines around which will bring you all the good cheer you could wish for.  You can impress family and neighbours alike without upsetting the bank manager.

How about a 3* red for only R209 - FOR A CASE OF 12!
A 3½* white for R176 for 12.

Just think that Wine Magazine recently recommended a 4* red wine as a "Smart Investment" at R468 a BOTTLE!  This month's "Smart Investments" include a 4* Chardonnay at R120pb, a Sauvignon Blanc for R100, and a white blend at R80.

Given that these wines, other than the red, are not going to improve a great deal, if at all, and that their value is therefore unlikely to increase, I'm not sure how they qualify as investments, let alone smart ones!

Morgenster Estate has recently released a delicious medium-to-full bodied Bordeaux-style blend called The Summer House, a great buy, and a smart investment, at R54. Excelsior and Darling Cellars are making some great wines, both red and white, in the R30-R45 range.  Wildekrans have recently won a whole batch of "Best Buy" awards with their reds and whites in the R25-R40 range.

Of course, if you also want to treat someone special, or even yourself, with a 5 Star Stunner, or some real Champagne, we have those as well.

So, if you do find that you have blown most of the budget, but still have to buy the "Christmas Cheer", or want an extra special stocking filler, just pop along to your nearest Manuka Fine Wine Boutique, where you will find one of the widest ranges of quality wines at pocket-pleasing prices.

The staff of Manuka wish you all a relaxing and joyful holiday season.

Drink wisely, drive safely.


Stephen Digby
Manuka Somerset West.