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A few weeks ago, Sophie Waggett of Wines of South Africa (WOSA) was more than a little worried. She was in Cape
Town and awaiting the arrival of a group of 20 on-trade buyers from the UK, most of whom she'd never met. The origins of this scenario began last year, when WOSA was forced to recognise that South African wines, while generally in growth, were seriously underperforming in the UK on-trade: only 5% market share, compared to 10% in the off-trade.
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Picture something quintessentially Canadian. For many people, that prompt either draws a complete blank or it connotes polar bears, the Inuit (formerly known as Eskimos) and perhaps ice hockey. But vineyards and barrel-lined cellars don't fit among those frosty symbols. Wine is not really a Canadian emblem. At least not in the public mind. Informed oenophiles and members of the drinks trade, however, recognise Canada as the world's largest source of, appropriately enough, Icewine.
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Western Wines will no longer handle the distribution of the Bellingham and Douglas Green South African brands, following DGB's decision to open a UK office to handle distribution and marketing for these brands.
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The first vintages of Tokara wines - owned by South African merchant banker GT Ferreira - will be launched in the UK, with an on-trade focus, at Wines of South Africa's Mega Tasting on 11 & 12 October.
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Wines of South Africa (WOSA) is holding its Mega Tasting, aimed at the pan-European market, on Tuesday 11 October and Wednesday 12 October at Old Billingsgate Market, which looks on to the River Thames. More than 200 producers will be taking part, representing boutique vintners, corporates, cooperatives, garagistes and ngociants. Focusing on the Cape's biodiversity and the effect this has on the country's wines, and including a range of themed tastings, this event is set to be one of the biggest generic national tastings ever presented by a wine-producing country. For more information, call Sophie Waggett on 020 8947 7171 or e-mail her at sophie@winesofsa.com
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For on-trade buyers, South Africa is only good for cheap entry-point wines, predominately Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, according to Andy Bayley and John Graves, sales and marketing director and national accounts director respectively for Atlantic Wine Agencies.
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German entrepreneur Achim Niederberger has purchased the historic Pfalz wine estate of Reichsrat von Buhl for an undisclosed sum.
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Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) has confirmed the acquisition of the Boschendal Wine business, with the deal going last week (see Harpers, 22 July), and pledged to increase its sales of premium wines in the UK by turning the company into South Africa's answer to Penfolds.
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Tim Johnston was educated
at a very second-rate public school, from which I escaped aged 17'. He worked for Findlaters for a few months, before eight months in slavery' at Chteau Cantenac-Brown.
He apprenticed with Hedges & Butler, and in 1969 he moved to France, where he has been involved with several wine bars, including Willi's and Juveniles with Mark Williamson, The Blue Fox with Steven Spurrier, and Tournon in Bordeaux with Alex Herbage. He has written for Wine International, Wine Spectator and Saveur. He has vinified in France (Bordeaux, Hermitage and Provence), America (Chateau Montelena, Jordan Winery and Bill Wheeler's winery on Dry Creek Road) and Australia (Cullen). Juveniles sells wine for off- as well as on-premise consumption, and Johnston is available to source French wines.
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Leading South African winemakers Gary Jordan (Jordan Winery) and Niels Verburg (Luddite) will be visiting London in September to present the wines on offer at this year's Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction.
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Jacques Roux, marketing and sales director of Graham Beck Wines in South Africa, is to leave the company after 15 years.
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2005 is already a landmark year for the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). In March, the company opened its new, customised premises in Dunsfold Park, Surrey, with a 25,000-bottle capacity and room for expansion.
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The International Wine and Spirit Competition used the opening day of Vinexpo earlier this week to announce the first round of Trophy Winners in this year's competition.
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What makes great leaders in our industry?' asked Lulie Halstead at the LIWSF Wine MBA seminar.
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Award-winning producer Vergelegen has launched V', the most expensive South African wine ever released.
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Five high-profile leaders in the world wine community are set to be quizzed by Harpers editor Christian Davis at a special event at this year's London International Wine & Spirits Fair.
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Ludovic Pech - Assistant manager, Chapter One, Farnborough Common, Locksbottom, Kent Interview: Christian Davis
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Neleen Strauss, Co-owner, Vivat Bacchus, London. Interview: Josie Butchart
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The drinks industry - where has it been, who are the top performers and where is it going? Matt Guarente and Rob Griffin ask the Square Mile's top equity analysts to crystallise their thoughts
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Having jettisoned the arrogance of Apartheid-era South African winemaking, Cape producers have made significant inroads into the lower price points in the UK market. Now, key exporters are targeting the higher price points, with greater emphasis on premium wines. Tim Atkin MW reports on their chances of making the leap
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