What was the first bottle of wine that made sense and why?

Kanonkop 1981 Pinotage — I got what wine was about.

What was your most memorable wine experience?

Quite a few, but it is sipping the Kanonkop that stuck, somehow.

What wine you have not yet tasted, do you most want to?

Jarno Trulli's wines (produced on Podera Castorani in Italy where his father is a partner).

What was the last wine that you bought?

Diemersfontein Pinotage.

How big is your wine collection and where do you store it?

(Laughs) It is not big at all because I buy to drink, not collect!

Which are your favourite South African wine producers?

It changes, depends on the year. I try most of them, but I do like Diemersfontein at the moment.

What was your most embarrassing moment to do with wine?

Drinking an entire Nedeburg Reserve magnum with a friend. We completely overdid it and ended up paying the price… in a big way!

What do you like least about wine?

The bottle empties.

What is your favourite meal?

A really great pasta.

What are your favourite restaurant(s) in South Africa?

I really like Bel Punto in Umdloti.

Which three people would you invite to your fantasy dinner party?

Jeremy Clarkson, Eddie Izzard and Madonna.

What is your current state of mind?

Stressed but positive.

What is your most treasured possession?

My 1957 Fiat 500.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Expensive shoes and clothes.

How do you relax?

I watch sitcoms. I have about 20 different complete series and I watch them over and over again.

Who is your favourite writer?

James Patterson.

Who are your favourite musicians?

Michael Jackson, Simple Minds

Where did you spend your last holiday?

Thornybush Game Lodge adjacent to the Kruger National Park.

What is your favourite city in the world and why?

Florence — it is beautiful, sexy and warm.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Life is too short to drink cheap wine or wear bad shoes.