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.

Enter Story Headline

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.

Enter Story Headline

Arniston Bay launches its first lower-alcohol wine based drink

Arniston Bay launches its first lower-alcohol wine based brand

Arniston Bay, the South African wine brand, has extended its product range with Infusions, a new wine-based drink with an ABV of 5.5.%.

Cape Legends looks to be South Africa's largest fine wine player

Cape Legends, the South African premium wine brand division of Distell, is looking to do what it claims is "something different" in promoting wines from the country.

South African Nederburg auction has a record breaking year

The Nederburg Auction, South Africa's leading annual wine auction, saw record prices paid per litre of wine at this year's auction held on September 6 and 7.

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.

Enter Story Headline

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.

Q&A: Ken Forrester and Rollo Gabb

Rollo Gabb, managing director of Journey's End Vineyards in Stellenbosch and first chairman of the Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa (PIWOSA) and co-founder Ken... 

Nederburg offers consumers chance to win dinner party experience

Distell-owned South African winery Nederburg is offering consumers the chance to win a 'premium dinner party experience' via promotional neck collars on its bottles of Winemaster's Reserve.

Wines of South Africa starts recruitment drive for new chief

Wines of South Africa is formally advertising for a new chief executive to replace Su Birch (pictured) who stands down following the Beautiful South tasting in September.

Tesco to launch South African wine through social media

Tesco and Enotria have teamed up to try and launch a wine that has been devised and created exclusively through social...

Arniston Bay's Reef Pouch returns to UK

Stellenbosch Vineyards' brand Arniston Bay is returning to UK as an alternative packaging choice for consumers...

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.

WSET to launch Diploma course in South Africa

The UK based Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) has announced it will launch the Level 4 Diploma Online Distance...