South Africa makes a grand showing at Ottawa
Friday, 2 November, 2001
Thelma Harris (WOSA)
Ottawa, Capital city of Canada, hosts the 16th annual Food & Wine show
The show sure had an international flavour to it with countries like Australia, California, Spain, Argentina, Italy Hungary, Germany, Portugal - and others - all exhibiting as this year’s event.
South Africa, featured as the theme country, managed an overwhelming presence in the huge exhibition hall at the show. We had ten colourful Wines of South Africa (WOSA) banners hanging over our stand from the top of the ceiling making sure that anyone, at any entrance, knew where the South African stand was situated. There were twelve South Africans present on the stand for the duration of the show. With the two big TV screens showing the new ‘Shelftalk video’ featuring many SA wine industry personalities, one could honestly say, the stand was as close to home as it could be!
South African High Commissioner, Andre Jacquet opened the proceedings on Friday afternoon in style by announcing the attendance of the biggest group of SA winemakers and wine marketers ever attending the ‘Wine & Food show’ from the themed country.
There was no lack in activity at the SA stand. Two chefs served South African cuisine from the SA Chefs Association. Traditional food was available at the stand for sampling. The SA chefs extended their presence by educating the Canadians on contemporary South African cuisine at the local Westin Hotel, where South African recipes featured at ‘Daly’s Restaurant’ for a ten-day period.
Adding to the excitement to the South African stand was the fact that visitors had the chance to leave the event with a ½ carat diamond! Everyone was very eager to sample a glass of SA wine while entering for the diamond. Another South African touch was added with huge SA flower arrangements on the stand. The live music each evening became the focus point of the show, as people gathered to taste SA wine and listen to the music.
Richard Kelley {Vinimark}, Martin Moore (Durbanville Hills), Guy Webber (Stellenzicht), Coenie Snyman (Bergkelder), Razvan Macici (Nederburg), Ian Nieuwoudt (KWV) all participated in hosting four tutored SA tastings throughout the duration of the show, educating the wine connoisseurs of the Ottawa market.
The eleven producers attending the event became very well known, as they were perceived as the ‘movie stars’ of the show, after flying so far to attend. On Saturday evening the group hosted a winemakers dinner with various media and LCBO staff attending. An evening of fine dining with great SA wine to showcase.
Talking to some of the producers afterwards, all agreed that the event gave them an in-depth perception of the Canadian market, and the ability to know what the consumer wants.
They were super wine ambassadors for the wine industry!