Richard Siddle, South Africa World Cup and wine blog. Day 4

Oh the shame, oh the embarrassment...
Here I am in South Africa on the day the country makes history and the World Cup comes to Africa for the first time. Here am I a lifelong football fan who can talk Christmas tree formations with the best of  them and who has long been the answer to England's left sided problems for years...but when asked in front of a crowded bar to blow on a vuvuzela - South Africa's icon musical emblem of the games - I fail miserably.

Richard Siddle, South Africa World Cup and wine day two

Richard Siddle, South Africa World Cup and wine day two

South Africa launches sustainability seal

The South African wine industry claims to have launched the world's first sustainability seal that guarantees eco-friendly production and bottle provenance.

South Africa overtakes France

South Africa's recent success in the UK off-trade is not merely the result of favourable currency movements, according to the country's generic body.

This issue: South Africa

Looking for a new wine to plug a regional or stylistic gap on your shelves?

South Africa overtakes France in market share

South African wine has overtaken French in the UK wine market for the first time in terms of volume.

Virgin Wines helps fund South African school

Virgin Wines has announced it will help provide further funding as part of a project to build new facilities at a primary school in South Africa.

South Africa reduces bottle weight

South Africa is lowering the weight of its wine bottles in a move to help reduce the industry's carbon footprint.

South Africa increases market share

The UK's love for South African wine is growing after it achieved the largest increase in UK market share during 2009.

The UK's best wine lists recognised

Harpers Wine & Spirit today reveals the shortlisted restaurants for our Drinking Out Excellence Awards, the UK's first dedicated gongs for wine lists.

Mission Possible: the hunt for South Africa's forgotten Chenin Blanc

A quest to find South Africa's oldest Chenin Blanc vines has been resolved.

Raising the Bar in Excellence Awards

The UK has arguably the most exciting restaurant wine and spirits lists in the world, yet the efforts of those who create them is frequently overlooked. It often seems it's the chefs who get all the glory in terms of awards and press, and the sommeliers, restaurant owners and buyers who work so hard to create the drinks offer are forgotten.

Merchant's Taste: The Vineking

Eunice Murrison reviews the offer at the Vineking, in Reigate.

My Taste: Wines of South Africa

Andrew Catchpole and Ted Sandbach review the WOSA Mega-Tasting in October.

Delving into the Wine Seller

One effect the recession has had in the restaurant trade is to force businesses to be leaner but also more dynamic in a bid to survive the tough times and hold their own in an increasingly competitive industry.

South Africa - Growth Spurt

With the WOSA Mega-Tasting days away Andrew Catchpole asks if South Africa can keep its enviable recession-beating momentum going.

Arniston Bay and Welmoed to unveil brand extensions

After the announcement of the distribution partnership with Percy Fox & Co, the company of wine people are to unveil a series of range extensions and new vintages of its core brands Arniston Bay and Welmoed.

£30,000 worth of wine stolen from Wimbledon warehouse

Around £30,000 worth of South African wine has been stolen from a warehouse in Wimbledon, owned by South African Wines Online.

Arniston Bay moves distribution to Percy Fox

Arniston Bay has moved its distribution to Percy Fox following the end of Ehrmanns' partnership with the Company of Wine People and its buy out by Global Vintners.