Wine world to converge on the Cape
8 September 2008
South Africa's widening participation in global wine markets is evident in the geographic spread of delegates signed up to attend Nedbank Cape Wine 2008, taking place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 23 to 25 September.
"We have people attending from every continent," Wines of South Africa CEO Su Birch said in a statement last week. "Apart from the very strong representation from the major multiple grocer chains in the UK, the Netherlands and Switzerland, state monopoly retailers are coming from Canada, Sweden and Finland.
"We also have registrations from China, India, Japan, South Korea Malaysia and Latin America, as well as a high number of African countries on both the west and east coasts."
Birch said Nedbank Cape Wine 2008 would also be receiving the biggest ever media contingent in the history of the biennial showcase, being staged this year for the fifth time. She ascribed the strong support to growing awareness of South Africa's ability to compete at world-class levels in terms of quality and the high level of interest in the country's progressive approach to sustainable wine production.
With the exhibition space fully subscribed months ago, Birch said the strong local producer involvement was a reflection of growing unity within the industry.
"We have over 300 wineries participating, from the large wholesaler/producers to small, independent, boutique winemakers, covering all South Africa's established and newer winemaking regions.
"This is the most representative showcase of our industry and will be visited by a record number of foreign delegates. We are also expecting a good turnout from the local trade."
She said another reason for the excellent attendance levels expected was the innovative satellite events being planned by producers.
"They are actively communicating what makes South Africa so fresh, exciting and original in their wines, in the experiences they are laying on for guests, and the ways in which they are highlighting the variety in our nature."
SAinfo reporter
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