South Africa’s Three-Day Triennial Wine Fair Highlights New Level of Quality and Distinction from the New World’s Most Exciting Wine-Producing Country
The Wines of South Africa (WOSA) Cape Wine 2015 trade fair (September 15-17) drew 1,900 visitors from a total of 58 countries, with the number of visitors rising by 27% from the previous show. The three-day wine event was the biggest of it’s kind in the southern hemisphere, and was comprised of a series of insightful speakers, tastings, and seminars. Delegates included retailers, sommeliers, restaurateurs, hoteliers, educators, wine critics and media who had come to meet the 350 exhibiting producers and taste their wines. Cape Wine’s headline sponsor was leading express logistics company DHL Express.
Siobhan Thompson, the CEO of (WOSA) commented on the overall feedback of this year’s show: “The overriding impression amongst guests was that South African wine has assumed a new level of quality and a clearly differentiated and distinctive voice. Returning visitors who have been following our progress over the years could see the impact of the extensive innovation in wine-growing and winemaking that has been taking place.
Thompson said while there had been a strong turnout from traditional markets across the European Union, especially from Germany, the UK and the Scandinavian bloc, and a larger contingent from the US and Canada than in previous years, the biggest percentage increases had come from Asia (China, Hong Kong and Japan) and Africa (Nigeria, Angola and Ghana). “It is encouraging to see that the enthusiasm for the South African category is becoming more widespread. This will help us to expand our geographic reach and begin penetrating newer and more of the emerging markets.” Thompson remarked that the mix of delegates had afforded exhibitors very good access to influencers and decision makers.
Michael Franz, a US-based wine editor, critic, educator and consultant to the restaurant trade, praised South Africa’s ability to offer value across a spectrum of wine prices and styles. “No other country comes to mind that can as authentically straddle the divide between the Old and the New Worlds. South Africa has the climatic capacity and soil diversity to make distinctive, compelling and appealing wines. South African Chardonnay retailing for US$17 is arguably the best in the world at that price.”
Masamitsu Yoshino, publisher and director of Japanese specialist trade beverage magazine Wands Review was optimistic about South Africa’s potential in his market. Last year, South African imports to Japan rose by 19,3% on 2013, according to Japan’s Ministry of Finance. He said the country had now overtaken Germany to become the eighth biggest supplier of wine to Japan. Consumers were familiar with the popular French cultivars used by many South African winemakers and the elegance of local wines made them well suited to washoku (Japanese cuisine).
Debra Meiburg MW, who is considered one of the most influential personalities in wine and specifically a leading authority on wine in Greater China, was also upbeat about the potential for South African wine in the region.
Overall, Cape Wine was an exciting event for both South African wine industry professionals, and visiting industry and press. It is evident that the world is excited to see, sip, and swirl, what is to come from South Africa.
