FOREIGN bidders, particularly those from Asia, were conspicuously absent from the 1999 Nederberg Wine Auction held at the weekend. Local buyers snapped up some 84% of sales at the premier wine auction, with foreign buyers coming in with very thin demand. Namibia bought 6,22% of sales, with only Denmark and Sweden showing much interest in buying. Local supermarkets snatched some 35% of the R5,5-million worth of sales on offer. Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery MD Frans Stroeber said turmoil in Asian contributed to weaker demand from Eastern bidders.