Wine's winners and losers in 2013 and prospects for 2014

The wine regions of the world closed out 2013 with some clear winners like South Africa, which reported record exports, and New Zealand, which just entered into a new trade agreement with Taiwan. But countries including Argentina and Australia faced big challenges. We take a look at how the world's major wine regions fared in 2013 and look at their prospects for 2014.

Wine's winners and losers in 2013 and predictions for 2014

Bumper South African harvest sees wine exports to UK up 21%

PLB takes on Bosman Family Vineyards to help drive its fine wine business

UK drinks importer PLB, has become distributor of South African premium Fairtrade producer Bosman Family Vineyards, as it continues to drive to reposition itself in the fine wine arena.

South Africa establishes the Cape Vintners Classification system

Some the South African leading wine estates announced yesterday, December 10^th, the creation of the Cape Vintners Classification (CVC), which is an effort to ensure the quality of Cape wines and will operate within the structure of the Wine of Origin Scheme.

Make social media a priority for your business urges Warwick Estate's Mike Ratcliffe

Without the budgets to talk directly to a highly fragmented consumer base in diverse markets around the world, social media offers wine producers an unrivalled way of tapping into potential customers, according to South African producer, Mike Ratcliffe.

Analysis: how global exchange rates have helped boost China's growth in wine

Worldwide currency exchange rates continue to help shape the winners and losers in the global wine world and have played a key role in helping China become such a significant player.

Retailers use social media to make more consumer friendly wines

Retailers are increasingly turning to social media to help create new wines they hope will prove popular with consumers.

'Best of Wine Tourism' 2014 winners announced

The Great Wine Capitals Global Network, an alliance of ten international wine regions, announced the nine winners of its 2014 International Best of Wine Tourism Awards at a gala dinner held November 12, at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, California.

Distell appoints new GM for duty-free Europe

Markus Habermann has been appointed general manager for Distell's European duty-free business

Global wine production is shifting away from Europe says Cobevco's Justin Knock MW

The 2013 global wine harvest is further confirmation that Europe is losing ground on its dominant position as the largest wine growing continent in the world.

South Africa to focus on US and emerging African markets says new WOSA chief

South Africa will increasingly target the entire domestic market of Africa along with the US as trading conditions become ever more challenging in mature export markets such as the UK, according to the new head of Wines of South Africa (WOSA).

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.

Wines of South Africa appoints new chief executive

Wines of South Africa (WOSA) has announced the appointment of former Distell global head of marketing Siobhan Thompson as chief executive, who will succeed Su Birch from November.

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.

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Wino Rhino sent packing from Beautiful South tasting

Not everyone has been greeted with open arms at the Beautiful South tasting at London's Olympia this week. Spare a thought for this loveable rhino who fell the wrong side of the law whilst quietly going about its business at yesterday's week's show.

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