According to Gourmet Festival Director, Christine Cashmore, South Africa's fastest growing wine competition, the Swiss International Air Lines Wine Awards, will be bringing in a leading American wine buyer and a key buyer from China, in addition to South Africa's foremost wine connoisseurs. Once again, Robert Joseph, well known UK wine personality, judge and writer will chair the judging panel. Cashmore added that, with a competition as unique as this one - opening up wine selling opportunities for wine growers in South Africa - it was critical to secure judges that have creditability in the wine world, as well as providing possible export opportunities for entrants. "Respected head judge Robert Joseph will be supported by international judges Peter Koff from the US and Ellen Zou from China, all three offering great export potential to South African wine growers," said Cashmore. Robert Joseph, was described by Decanter Magazine as one of the fifty people in the world who would be influencing wine drinking in the 21st century and is the founder of the International Wine Challenge, the world's biggest wine competition. "It is estimated that within the next few years the wines Koff sources will make up 20 percent of the $500 million dollars of US Guild member wine sales," she said. "Chinese judge, Ellen Zou from the international department of the China Alcoholic Drinks Association, whose main aim is to help foreign wine enterprises enter the Chinese market, and to promote the exchange of wine technology, trade and investment between China and the world." Saronsberg Cellar Provenance Shiraz 2005 was a Gold Medal winner from last year that was chosen to be an on-board offering on Swiss International Airlines. According to winemaker Dewaldt Heyns the opportunity to be offered this wine on-board Swiss International Airlines gave the wine tremendous international exposure. "The global exposure together with an international judging panel means our wines are being judged by international standards," he said. Heyns added that they will be entering a number of wines in the competition again this year. Alto Rouge's Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc were accepted on board the Swiss International Airline. "The exposure on Swiss was fantastic for our brand, we got a large repeat order from Koop, the off consumption retail group in Switzerland," said Pippa Carter, responsible for international marketing at Alto Rouge. "This is a very productive competition. Competitions are expensive to enter and we are not always sure of the benefit, but in this case, the results were increased sales," she said. Neil Bester, winemaker at Plaisir de Merle sang the competition's praises: "Personally I was delighted with the award, as over the years, we have built a reputation as a red wine producer of note, although we consistently gained ground with our two whites, the Chardonnay and a Sauvignon Blanc. The Chardonnay, although wooded, is very well received as the emphasis is on elegance and drinkabilty," he said. "The publicity around the award led to increased sales, not only at our Cellar Door, but also nationally and internationally. The additional exposure we received from the listing on Swiss International Air Lines, gave us an introduction to Switzerland, as well as other European countries where we don't promote our wines at the moment. It also increased sales through our existing agents, as awards and publicity are excellent tools to use in the marketing of our wines in an increasingly competitive international market." Bester added the fact that judging is done by an internationally represented panel of top judges, lends credibility to the competition and strengthens the value of the award and subsequent publicity. Akkerdal scooped some major prizes in the competition last year and winemaker, Pieter Henekom said the Special Award they received for Top Bordeaux Style Red and the Gold Award for the Akkerdal Wild Boar 2005 has improved their business considerably. "The sales, in restaurants, are going very well due to the exposure in the Swiss International Airlines Wine Awards," said Hanekom. "It was fantastic to have the personal input from Robert Joseph, he said that I'm on the right track and that I should trademark the name Wild Boar. It was an honour to have my wine compared to a French wine and Robert said this wine would win the same award in an overseas competition," he added. This year Akkerdal has entered one wine in the Swiss International Airline Wine Awards, which is a blend of seven cultivars - it's a totally new blend called Passion. The competition, which takes place from 1 - 5 April at the prestigious Relais & Chateaux Cellars Hohenort, guarantees local wine producers invaluable international exposure as well as the potential for their wines to be chosen for on board service on Swiss International Air Lines globally. Closing date for entries is 14 March 2008 For further information, entry forms and to exhibit in the Wine Area of the Good Food & Wine Show, please contact Tracy on (021) 797-4500 and 082 550 5067 or visit www.gourmetsa.com.