Big, bold, but Beautiful?

The Beautiful South Tasting challenged the concept of generic wine tastings. Erin Smith analyses what worked and lessons for the future

Beautiful South Tasting to return in 2014

Wines of Argentina, Wines of Chile and Wines of South Africa have said visitor numbers for the Beautiful South Tasting exceeded expectations and it will take place again next year. Additional events under the Beautiful South banner will also take place at other wine events.

Beautiful South tasting to return in 2014 after exceeding its 2013 targets

Organisers of the first Beautiful South tasting last week at London's Olympia, that brought together wines from Argentina, Chile and South Africa, claim the event surpassed its target figures and that the combined tasting will go ahead again next year.

Mike Paul: was The Beautiful South the way forward for generic wine tastings?

I have always been a firm supporter of generic marketing. I've chaired importer committees and worked on developing regional strategies. I know how difficult it is to secure an appropriate level of agreement, across the producer and distributor base, to plans with real cut through, and I know how powerful a well coordinated generic effort can be. I also appreciate that coming up with innovative plans is particularly difficult currently when budgets are severely constrained. Given all this and given that generic marketers have no direct control over the producers and wines they represent, I tend to believe that they have one of the most difficult roles in our industry. All this  makes me loth to criticise any generic activity.

Chile is fastest changing wine producing country claim CYT winemakers

The Chilean wine sector is the fastest changing wine producing country in the world, according to two of Concha y Toro's leading winemakers.

Ben Smith on why the Beautiful South tasting really is something different

The news that three of the major generic wine bodies were joining forces to present their wines in one single tasting in 2013 was greeted with plenty of enthusiasm in many quarters.  There has been a growing feeling in recent years that the single 'Wines of Xxx' tastings, which have served both exhibitors and visitors well over several years, have become jaded and predictable, and therefore all too easily avoidable.

Casillero del Diablo partners Meatopia

Chilean wine brand Casillero del Diablo is to be the official wine partner of Meatopia - the festival of BBQ and smoking, set to take place in London at Tobacco Dock on Saturday 7 September.

Start planning your Beautiful South Tasting

With over 300 tables and 330 producers the first Beautiful South Tasting, to be held on September 11 and 12 in London's Olympia, demands a plan and the full show catalogue is now available online to download so attendees can devise a tactical plan of what producers to put on their 'must-see' list.

Bottle Green appointed agent for Casa Silva's Doña Dominga

Chilean wine producer Casa Silva has appointed Bottle Green as the new agent for its wine brand Doña Dominga in the UK.

Fuller's to list Casa Silva Cool Coast in UK

Casa Silva has announced it has secured a new UK on-trade listing for both its Cool Coast Sauvignon Blanc and Cool Coast Pinot Noir with London-based traditional family brewer Fuller's.

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Michael Cox and Hugh Johnson win IWC awards

Michael Cox, Master of the Worshipful Company of Vintners and wine writer and author, Hugh Johnson, were both recognised for their services to the wine trade at last night's International Wine Challenge 2013 awards.

Harvest report 2013: Casa Silva, Chile

The 2013 harvest started in late February and continued until May 25. Despite a slow start in terms of volumes, April picked up and the harvest ended eight days later than the previous year.

Q&A: Adolfo Hurtado, chief winemaker of Cono Sur

Cono Sur, one of the world's first carbon-neutral wineries, launched its new Single Vineyard range at this...

The Beautiful South tasting signs up 280 exhibitors

'The Beautiful South', a new tasting featuring wines from South Africa, Chile and Argentina, in September has already signed up 280 exhibitors.

Santa Rita Estates launches premium wine brand

Chilean conglomerate Santa Rita Estates unveiled new premium wine brand Bougainville last month at Vinexpo...

Chileans breaking the mould

In the first instalment of a two-part Chile focus, Laura Heywood meets the winemakers in the north of the country who are breaking new vinous ground

Christina Pickard meets biodynamic winemaker Alvaro Espinoza

In a country where the majority of wines are made industrially and conventionally, Alvaro Espinoza is something of an oddity in Chile - albeit an extremely successful one.

High hopes for 2013 as Casa Silva reports ideal harvest conditions

Chilean winery Casa Silva has reported 'ideal' weather conditions for the 2013 harvest.

Chile puts faith in virgin terroir

In the second instalment of our Chile focus, Laura Heywood meets the winemakers exploring new territory in a bid to push terroir-driven wines