Wines of South Africa ramps up Asian focus

Wines of South Africa is stepping up its marketing efforts in Asia with the opening of a dedicated office in Hong Kong.

Smaller wineries now selling more than half of wine direct to consumer

Smaller Australian, South African and New Zealand wineries are now selling more than half of their wines direct to consumer.

Kleine Zalze launches Cleefs wine range for independents

South African wine estate Kleine Zalze is targeting independents with a new range of wines under the Cleefs banner.

Ataraxia's Kevin Grant on why terroir is now central to South African winemaking

"It's been a long time coming, and if fear were the basis on which decisions were made, then Ataraxia would never have been born," says South African winemaker, Kevin Grant of his latest, patiently-maturing winemaking venture.

Here's a right corking video for you...

Here's a video after our own heart here at Harpers Uncorked. As part of last month's Wines of the Beautiful South tasting you might have seen a special "cork" wall which doubled up as an actual live art installation.

Distell acquires International Beverage Company to increase US presence

Distell Group, South Africa's largest drinks producer, has acquired International Beverage Company in Atlanta, Georgia in an effort to grow its presence in the US market.

Kingsland ramps up its South Africa wine listings with Brand Phoenix deal

Kingsland has signed a deal to distribute Brand Phoenix's First Cape and Distell ranges throughout the impulse, convenience and wholesale markets.

The Harrow's Roger Jones follows Heston Blumenthal by taking his restaurant offer overseas

Heston Blumenthal is not the only British Michelin-starred chef to be taking his restaurant overseas in the new year as Rojer Jones is set to travel to South Africa to embark on a restaurant tour with his award-winning The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

KWV relaunches UK distribution strategy by switching from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green

KWV, the South African wine giant, is to switch its UK distribution from Myliko Wines to Bottle Green as it looks to reposition itself in the UK with a targeted multiple and independent retail strategy.

The Week That Was: top news, Q&As and opinion on Harpers.co.uk

In case you missed some of the headlines this week on harpers.co.uk, we have done a review of the top online news, financial news for the drinks trade, Q&As, and opinion stories.

Wines of Beautiful South to return in 2016 as South Africa switches focus to Cape Wine

The combined Chile, Argentina and South Africa Wines of the Beautiful South tasting will not take place next year as South Africa switches its attention to Cape Wine. But Chile and Argentina will continue to work together with a joint South American tasting sometime in London in 2015.

South Africa's Nederburg Auction tops R7 million with record breaking sales

South African wines 'gaining momentum' in UK market

The hard work put into growing the UK market by South African producers is beginning to pay off, but the country still needs to bring prices in line with market, says Wines of South Africa.

Hallgarten signs South Africa's Lismore Estate

Hallgarten Druitt & Novum Wines has signed South Africa's Lismore Estate to its portfolio, with the wines now available to the on-trade and independents and the on-trade.

Seckford Agencies toasts sales growth

Seckford Agencies has seen sales grow by 10 to 15% in the past year, says director David Cartwright.

Argentina and South Africa lead growth in off-trade sales in UK

Off-trade sales of Argentinian wine increased 21% while South African wine was up 14% in the last 12 months, according to a report released yesterday by Bibendum. 

Live news blog: The Beautiful South Tasting Day Two

On day two of the Wines of the Beautiful South tasting in London's Olympia, Harpers catches up with leading wine figures at the event with their thoughts on the UK market for Chilean, Argentinian and South African wines. 

South Africa replaces Spain to become fifth best selling country in UK, says Accolade

South Africa is enjoying widespread success in the UK, is bringing new consumers to wine, has seen an increase in both value and volume sales and has replaced Spain as the UK's fifth biggest wine selling country, according to figures released today by Accolade Wines UK.

Bruce Jack on the challenges and opportunities for South African wine

Bruce Jack is a key figure in the Accolade Wines South African winemaking team. His direct responsibilities cover the Kumala, Fishoek and Flagstone ranges, Tesco Finest, The Rustler, Stumble Vineyards, Breakers Point and Lost Ostrich, as well as strategic NPD. He talks to Gemma McKenna about how he is working with the Kumala winemaking team to help reposition the Kumala brand and ensure the quality of the wine shines through to customers.

Live news blog: The Beautiful South Tasting Day One

As the Wines of the Beautiful South tasting takes place in London's Olympia Harpers catches up with leading wine figures at the event with their thoughts on the UK market for Chilean, Argentinian and South African wines.