State of the Wine Nation

The messages from Enotria, land of wine, have been largely grim since 2002, so it is encouraging to report that a sunnier aspect appears to be emerging.

Watch fizz space

When faced with the juggernaut that is Champagne - complete with the biggest marketing budgets in the wine world, ultra-slick PR teams and profit margins that would make most producers dance naked through their vineyards - it is easy to forget that more than half the fizz drunk in the UK doesn't hail from northeast France.

Prowein chases UK visitors

ProWein, the major German wine and spirits show that is held in Dsseldorf in March, wants to attract more UK visitors.
With 2,773 exhibitors (Vinitaly, 4,064; Vinexpo, 2,500; and London International Wine & Spirits Fair (LIWSF), 1,300), ProWein claims the largest number of Italian and French exhibitors outside of their respective countries' own shows and also showcases the German wine industry with 700 producers exhibiting. The UK remains Germany's number-one export market, bringing in 971,315 hectolitres in 2004, compared to the number-two Netherlands with 380,870hl.

Language barriers

It may be hard to believe, but Lombardy, the most industrial region in Italy (its capital Milan is also the capital of the Italian press, Italian culture, Italian commerce and finance, and the fashion world), is also one of the most important Italian regions for agriculture. Not only does it produce grain, milk and cheese, but it also produces wine.

WADSACK IS TOP COMMUNICATOR

Broadcaster, writer and consultant Joe Wadsack, is the International Wine & Spirit Competition's (IWSC) 2005 Communicator of the Year'.

EXTRAVAGANZA !

The 37th staging of Vinitaly, Italy's annual wine trade fair, is a major event for the world wine sector, and gives a key platform to Italian wines. Michle Shah outlines the new events, facilities and conferences pencilled in for 2003

THE INTERVIEW - LUCA DUSI

Luca Dusi, Partner, Passione Vino, London. Interview: Josie Butchart

STRAIGHT TALKER SCOOPS COMMUNICATOR TITLE

The choice of Matthew Jukes as IWSC Communicator of the Year may raise a few eyebrows among the experts, but as Barbera Scalera reports, his no-nonsense approach and huge media success have helped communicate wine to millions

EXHIBITIONISM

As 2003 gets underway, Jack Hibberd looks ahead to the year's key trade and consumer food and drink extravaganzas, from Birmingham to So Paulo

There is Life in the Old Boy Yet

Berkmann is Back - with a vengeance. Just when we thought he might be ready to throw in the towel, he is out there snapping up agencies, doubling his sales force and making waves. Lisa Barnard speaks to Joseph Berkmann about his technicolour wine business.

MASS RESIGNATIONS AT UIV

By Nicolas Belfrage MW & Franco Ziliani

ITALY'S SIMPLY RED

By Michele Shah

UIV LAUNCHES MIWINE, A NEW ITALIAN WINE TRADE FAIR

By Nicolas Belfrage MW & Franco Ziliani

ITALIAN BRAND LAUNCH

By Michele Shah

BROWN FORMAN PULLS OUT OF VINEXPO

ITALY DOUBLES UP

By Michele Shah

NEW ITALIAN WINE SHOW

By James Aufenast

Cecchi buys Umbrian estate for $2.2m

Cecchi at the forefront of new areas buys

Pernod Ricard readies George Wyndham launch

Super-premium Shiraz brand Wyndham Estate will unveil an exciting new direction at this year's LIWF, including the launch of the George Wyndham range and the refocus of the Wyndham Estate Bin range, which will feature new premium varietals.

Mutual benefit, by Nicolas Belfrage MW and Franco Ziliani

Many years ago the Italian Trade Commission, fondly known as ICE (EE-chay), came up with a great idea. In conjunction with several of the major wine-producing regions, they would sponsor a series of week-long trips on the part of (relatively youthful) MWs keen to improve their knowledge of those regions.