Sighted tasting has been a feature of Platter's Guide since its inception in 1980, initially because wineries were visited for tasting (and blind assessments obviously were out of the question) but also after visits were replaced in the early 2000s by "off-site" tasting. (For practical reasons, two very large portfolios continue to be reviewed at their producer's premises.) The guide's publisher, Andrew McDowall, says sighted tasting serves two main purposes: firstly, it promotes more informed and nuanced assessments, resulting in (hopefully) a more readable and informative book. Secondly, sighted tasting supports a unique (in South Africa) aspect of the guide, namely the monitoring of the quality and style of a wine over successive vintages, thereby enabling the guide to offer an opinion on not only current performance but also track record and pedigree. "Sighted tasting is a valid and internationally accepted approach," McDowall continues. "Many of the world's leading wine critics use it, either exclusively or on occasion, in the course of their reviews. However, while sighted tasting historically is Platter's preferred method, it is not a dogma to which we blindly cling. If change is needed, our track record speaks of our willingness to listen to advice and constructive criticism and introduce improvements as needed." A complication, though, is that the local wine industry is far from unanimous in its opinion on the way forward for Platter. In conversation and via the media, many different alternative methodologies are mooted, ranging from competition-style blind tastings through to fully sighted assessments in the presence of the winemaker. "The lack of industry accord on the one hand, and the need to canvass the views of consumers on the other, suggest that an Open Discussion Forum, which will encourage input from all interested parties, is the best first step in mapping out the way forward," McDowall says. "The objective is for the Platter team to listen and to learn, but equally for those who call for drastic change to carefully consider the ramifications." The intention is to stage the Forum in early February 2009; details to be advised closer to the time. Those who wish to attend should send their name, phone number and email address to wineonaplatter@gmail.com or call 082 896 9685.