Veritas Gold for J.C. Le Roux Cap Classique Challenge winner
The House of J.C. Le Roux scored a sparkling victory at the 2012 Veritas Awards with the prestige cuvee, Scintilla 2003, this year’s Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge winner, clinching a Gold medal.

JC le Roux Pops Three Celebratory Corks at Amorim Cap Classique Challenge
Distell producer The House of JC le Roux and a flurry of vintage wines dominated this year's Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge, the leading competition honouring producers of South Africa's premier sparkling wine category. The awards were made during a luncheon at the 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town on the 20th September.

Placing a premium on image the way forward for South African wine industry
The increasing demand for bulk wine exports from South Africa is hampering the country’s ability to improve its image as a wine country.

Amorim MCC Challenge 2012 results
The overall winner of this year's Amorim MCC challenge is JC le Roux Scintilla.

Amorim tracks latest green progress
Corticeira Amorim, the cork division of Portugal's Amorim Group, has confirmed a 50% carbon footprint reduction within five years as the firm released its sixth annual Sustainability Report.

Entries open for Amorim MCC Challenge
Méthode Cap Classique producers have until 1 August to submit their wines for this year's Amorim Méthode Cap Classique Challenge.

Amorim and MCC Association showcase of best bubblies set for 2012
The 11th Amorim Cork Méthode Cap Classique Challenge, South Africa's leading competition for MCC wines, is to be held in an auspicious year for Amorim as 2012 celebrates this Portuguese cork company's 30th anniversary of doing business in the country.

Simonsig claims top award in Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge
Yesterday it was announced that Stellenbosch producer Simonsig had, again, succeeded in producing the top Cap Classique in the annual Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge - the third time this winery has taken top honours since the competition's inception in 2002.

Record entries for Amorim MCC Competition heralds new era
The record number of entries received for this year's Amorim MCC Competition reaffirmed the world's largest supplier of natural cork products to continue its role as headline sponsor of this competition.

Amorim MCC Challenge: a judge's view
With judging of the Amorim WINE Magazine MCC Challenge to commence next month, the five judges are preparing their palates.

South African Winemaker shoots cork 15m into glass
We visited Graham Beck, and asked Pieter Ferreira to show us his cork trick.

Organic pioneer opts for FSC corks
It is known as the farm with the ducks and where the term BioLogic was born. Avondale Estate has been at the forefront of organic wine production in South Africa, taking the buzzword “organic” a step further with the introduction of BioLogic, a unique and more holistic approach to winemaking.

Wine review: Cork vs cap
The cork-or-cap question is a tricky one ... it’s all a matter of 'reduction’ says Victoria Moore.

USA Comparative of Wine Brands by Closure Type (Year ending 2/5/11)
It has been one full year since the Cork Quality Council began tracking sales by closure type for the Top 100 Domestic Premium Wine Brands. The comparison between February of 2011 and the previous year shows a dramatic increase in case sales and revenue from cork finished brands compared to brands featuring alternative closures.

Klein Constantia's premier Sauvignon blanc back to cork
Klein Constantia is one of South Africa’s foremost wine estates, especially famous for its classic Vin de Constance as well as its complex, broad and delicious Perdeblokke Sauvignon Blanc.

U.S. Wineries continue to increase their use of cork
Premium domestic wineries are continuing to increase their use of cork closures, with brands using cork once again showing higher annual and holiday-period sales growth compared to those with alternative closures, according to a survey released today by the Cork Quality Council (CQC) based on data from A.C. Nielsen.

Amorim helps preserve 200 year old champagne
The world's leading cork producer, Amorim, has played a major role in the preservation of the 200-year-old champagne discovered off the coast of the Åland archipelago (between Sweden and Finland) earlier this year.

Natural cork, the preferred wine closure for South African wine drinkers
The average South African wine buyer from all demographic groups associate natural cork as the best wine closure in terms of quality and image associated with wine consumption, according to recent studies conducted by Ipsos-Markinor and Eion du Toit for Orange River Wine Cellars.

U.S. Wineries Increase Their Use of Cork Closures
Premium domestic wineries are increasing their use of cork closures, with brands using cork showing higher annual sales growth over those using alternative closures, according to a survey released today by the Cork Quality Counsel (CQC) based on data from A.C. Nielsen.

Wine Magazine & Amorim Cap Classique Winners Announced
Amorim Cap Classique Challenge were announced yesterday at a brunch at The Restaurant, Waterkloof in Somerset West.

Boela Gerber, Groot Constantia
It's not only South Africa's oldest wine estate, but one of the best. Since arriving at Groot Constantia in 2001, Boela Gerber has guided the estate's wines into a new era where quality has been rewarded with critical success local and internationally.

Kevin Arnold's trademark of excellence
Kevin Arnold is one of the gems of the South African wine industry - and he was one long before he launched the acclaimed The Jem wine at Waterford Estate, where he is the managing partner.

Sainsbury's breaks out the bubbly with FSC cork switch
Sainsbury's is aiming to become the world's largest user of FSC-certified cork after pledging to move its entire usage of cork closures to FSC-certified.

Amorim's luxury stoppers on show in Monaco
Amorim's core business, natural cork bottle stoppers, is also finding itself entering the arena of luxury goods. TopSeries® Amorim's Bar-Top natural cork closure sporting a variety of stylish designer finishes, was recently on display in the exclusive LuxePack Exhibition in Monaco.

Backsberg first MCC Kosher with Amorim kosher corks
South Africa will soon see its first Kosher MCC made at innovative winery Backsberg. According to Simon Back, Backsberg Marketing Manager, this first South African Kosher MCC is 100 percent Chardonnay, and its making was presided over by a rabbi.

Cork a key to success in US market
The preference for natural cork as a wine closure in the United States has been underlined with the release of two new studies as well as the outstanding success of a cork-sealed New Zealand wine in this major market.

American Consumers Prefer Cork
THE fact that American consumers, who constitute the world's second largest wine market, prefer cork was affirmed by a recent high-profile development in the wine industry.

Save Miguel Wins Film Award
AMORIM'S first foray into the world of film proved to be a resounding success. Save Miguel, an internet campaign starring actor Rob Schneider, won the award for Best Screenplay and Direction at the 16th Oenovideo, an International Festival of Documentary and Fiction Film on Grape and Wine held in France.

Eagerly awaited Acquamark® Corks Hit Market
EVER at the forefront of cork technology, Amorim recently launched its revolutionary new Acquamark® corks.

Spier and Amorim Join Forces in Recycling
SPIER WINES and Amorim Cork have joined hands in South Africa's first cork-recycling initiative. Having developed special stylish containers, all used corks from the different venues at Spier - such as restaurants, the Hotel, Tasting Centre and the winery are placed in the Amorim bins to be collected for recycling as a part of Spier's sustainability and environmental vision.

Albert Carpets Hold Function to Promote Amorim's Wicanders Cork Flooring
THE party of the year - thus far! - has to be the one held at Albert Carpets in Cape Town to announce the distribution partnership between this reputable flooring specialist and Amorim.

Corticeira Amorim publishes third Sustainability Report
The world's leading producer of natural cork products, Corticeira Amorim, has released its third Sustainability Report, providing details of a series of important environmental initiatives undertaken throughout 2008.

New Face for Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge
The Amorim Cork Cap Classique Challenge, the foremost competition recognising the merits of South Africa's Méthode Cap Classique wines, will extend its prize category as of this year. As usual, this competition is held in conjunction with Wine Magazine.

Bio-Diversity Champion Graham Beck adopts Amorim FSC natural corks
Just like South African's Bio-Diversity and Wine Initiative, aiming at minimising the further loss of threatened natural habitat of the Cape floral kingdom and contributing to sustainable wine production through the adoption of biodiversity guidelines, the FSC certification in cork oak forests also ensures responsible management and commitment to forest preservation, biodiversity and the fight against desertification and climate change. Both initiatives enjoy strong support of by the WWF.

Amorim shares in Success of Four Cousins
Bearing the images on its label of the four Retief cousins from the Van Loveren family winery in Robertson, this brand is one of the most successful wines on the South African market and a major user or Amorim corks.

Hollow on the Square "Green" Extension
The four star Hollow on the Square Hotel, part of the Luxury's Seasons Hotel and Safari Lodges Group, is the latest adopting Amorim's Wicanders Cork Flooring.

Joy as 184 year old champagne cork is popped in Paris
A gathering of wine experts in Paris was recently treated to a Perrier-Jouët Champagne. Not just any bottle, mind you, but one from the 1825 vintage.

Amorim rated best KWV supplier in 2008
KWV, one of the leading and successful South African wine organisations confirmed Amorim as their best packaging supplier in 2008 with a 99% performance rating.

Win Portuguese wine with your cork story
On 2 February 2009 the South African wine industry will be officially 350 years old, making this industry one of the oldest in the New World. Amorim has not been a partner to the industry for quite that length of time, although things may have been different had Vasco da Gama not sailed past the Cape without stopping to colonise it! But we will celebrate this event just as keenly as the rest of the industry does, and just like everyone else, Amorim is tremendously proud of what the South African wine industry has achieved over this period.

Amorim at Homeowners Expo
Last year we reported about Amorim's exciting Wicanders cork decor and flooring division that is expanding within South Africa. This year sees the division displaying some of its finest cork products at the Homeowners Expo which is being held at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg from 19 to 22 February.

Cork recyclying at Spier
To underscore Amorim & Spier's sustainability consciousness, both companies are launching a cork recycling initiative in one of most touristic destinations of the South African Winelands.

World's largest independent wine merchant supports cork
Underscoring its commitment to the use of cork, Direct Wines has partnered with Amorim on cork tree plantation to emphasise the contribution of the wine industry to the protection and maintenance of the Western Mediterranean cork forests.

Barack Obama Pulls the Cork!
4 November 2008, one day after history had been made. The history in question being the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States of America. And a memorable day, too, for a South African sparkling wine producer.

Bar-tops - Adding class to premium and wine fortified spirits
Bar-tops are the corks finished with a plastic, wooden or metallic surface for manual extraction going into bottles containing spirits and fortified wines and are to be found wherever Scotch whisky, Bourbon, tequila, rum, vodka, port or the trendiest olive oil are requested.

Mount Nelson Hotel Puts a Cork in It
Cape Town's internationally renowned Mt Nelson Hotel is sporting engineered cork flooring in its luxurious SPA. This seems to be keeping in line with the hotels high aesthetic standards and environmental awareness.

Amorim Brings Joy to Children in Rawsonville
The Fairhills Community Centre in Rawsonville lies close to our hearts. Earlier this year Fairhills, the wine brand in South Africa's Origin stable, won the International Amorim Photographic Competition sponsored by Corticeira Amorim's head-office in Portugal.

WWF encourages relationship between biodiversity in Cape Winelands and conservation of cork forests
There is a unique opportunity in South Africa this week for the wine industry to engage with the conservation community and put sustainability on the global wine agenda.

Kanonkop makes history at International Wine Challenge
At this year's International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC), Kanonkop made history by becoming the first winery in the world to win the prestigious Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy for the third time.

Producing for Icon Wines
A new wine from Cape wine-maker Francois Naudé recently highlighted the pedigree of Amorim.

Neutrocork confirmed a success for the retail sector
Amorim's latest innovation in cork closures NEUTROCORK is the seal of choice for retailer SPAR private label wines Olive Brook and Country Cellars.

New "clean c" coating for natural cork stoppers
The 2008 natural cork production was by far the best ever in Amorim.

Bark to bottle
The former vice president of the United States, Al Gore, has urged the global wine industry to act immediately to tackle climate change.

Popular Spar wines offer Amorim promotion
As from September 2008, SPAR retail Group in partnership with AMORIM SA is running a unique promotion where buyers of Spar's Olive Brook range stand a chance of winning Amorim's new designed cork flooring to the value of R25 000.

JC le Roux Bubbles at Cap Classique Challenge
Cap Classique enthusiasts gathering in Franschhoek were waiting for Spring. Well, the rain was pelting down as everyone sat down to brunch at Reubens Restaurant for the 2008 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge, but the event turned out to put a spring into a few people's step.

New Face at Amorims Wicanders Décor and Cork Flooring Division
Amorim South Africa welcomes Paula Killin as new Marketing and Sales Consultant to the Wicanders Cork Décor and Flooring Division.

Crystal Ball at Cape Wine 2008
Amorim had the honours of sponsoring the headline act at Cape Wine 2008, the biannual showcase for the South African wine industry attended by media and trade representatives from all over the world.

Cap Classique champion a sparkling first
Claiming top honours in the 2008 Amorim Cap Classique Challenge is doubly sweet for bubbly producer J.C. Le Roux: not only has their Pinot Noir Rosé 2006 emerged victorious ahead of 47 other entrants in this year's Challenge, it is the first pink sparkling wine to take line honours in the annual taste-off.

Uncorking the green spirit in great stopper debate
To cork or not to cork: this is a question that has many venting bottled-up emotions. Amorim Cork's Joaquim Sá discusses the matter soberly with Penny Haw.

A classic spring with Cap Classique
With Spring officially being in the air, lovers of South Africa's famous Méthode Cap Classique (MCC) wines will begin popping the bubbly corks in all earnest after the chilly Southern Hemisphere winter. And more than likely the cork being popped is produced by Amorim.

Olympic wine uses Amorim cork

Cape Wine 2008 uncorks 2010 potential
One of the highlights of Cape Wine 2008, South Africa's biennial trade show to be held in Cape Town from 23 to 25 September, will be a panel discussion entitled "South African wine, 2010 and beyond". Here an esteemed panel of speakers will discuss the future of the South African wine industry with special emphasis on the 2010 Soccer World Cup and opportunities arising from it.

Out with a Bang

Amorim hits the web
Cork producer Amorim is pushing the environmental credentials of the closure with an online presence that is gaining significant global exposure

A walk in the woods
I learned a lot about cork on a visit to Portugal in July this year. We travelled deep into the heart of the ancient cork forests to witness the annual cork harvest, a wonderful sight outsiders rarely experience. The timelessness of the landscape was overwhelming - the ochre boles of the gnarly oak trees, the bright Alentejo blue of old farmhouses, the white-washed villages, terracotta tiles and fields of sunflowers. Graham Howe reports.

Amorim brings new wave of environmentally friendly corks to South Africa
Amorim Cork South Africa, the local subsidiary of the world's largest cork producer, has joined forces with retail chain Woolworths to offer customers wines closed with natural cork harvested from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests.

World Leader in natural cork products announces 2007 sustainability report
Corticeira Amorim, SGPS, SA, the world's leading manufacturer of natural cork products, announced today the release of their 2007 Sustainability Report. The 2007 Report aims at providing disclosure to Amorim's stakeholders on the Company's best practices in sustainable cork manufacturing.

South African wine industry prepares for 2010 World Cup - with the help of Portuguese cork
Wines of South Africa (WOSA), the not-for-profit organisation that promotes South African wines worldwide, has launched a new premium red wine brand called FUNDI with the help of corks from Amorim SA.

GMOs and wine: what's the deal in South Africa?
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), especially foodstuffs, evoke strong public responses, yet there is huge ignorance about the issues at hand. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) and wine was the subject of a recent event in Cape Town where scientists and media gathered. Kim Maxwell chats to Helen Malherbe and Sarita Groenewald to find out more.

Eating (and Drinking) The World
Neil Pendock reports on the revelations of a "connoisseur of wine lists" on freebies, fine dining and much more.

Made in China... Wine That May Soon Rival The Best of Bordeaux
Bordeaux, Burgundy... Xinjiang. The world's wine map may have to be significantly re-drawn with figures showing more than a glass is being raised to China.

In The Belly of The Beast : The Concours Mondial in Bordeaux
6,000 wines, 230 judges from 40 nationalities, held over 3 days, blind. Neil Pendock reports on a tasting larger than Platter's in Bordeaux last weekend.

Fairhills and Amorim South Africa win International Amorim photographic competition
Amorim South Africa and Fairhills, the wine brand in South Africa's Origin Wine stable, have won the International Amorim Photographic Competition sponsored by Corticeira Amorim from Portugal, the world's leading producer of natural cork bottle stoppers.

Towards 2010 - and Beyond
It seems appropriate as the 2008 harvest rolls in and marketers embark on another round of hunt-the-customer, that we as an industry take stock of our situation and assess and reflect on what is going to drive consumers' needs in the future. This is arguably an even more important facet of what we do than processing the latest harvest and one often neglected by wine companies the world over. Ross Sleet reflects on how we can address consumer's demands.

Surveys Indicate Cellars' Preferred Load Shedding Times
Volume players in wine regions have submitted preferred load shedding times in 2008 power usage surveys, but smaller cellars should open communication channels with municipalities about their power needs too, says Kim Maxwell.

Do You Have The Energy For Harvest 2008?
With power cuts from national electricity firm Eskom a reality, Kim Maxwell considers the financial implications of an energy-strapped harvest period.

'Wine industry is fastest growing in India'
The wine industry in India is projected to grow at more than 25 per cent annually in the next decade, making it the fastest growing industry in the country, says leading wine industrialist Rajeev Samant of Sula Wines.

Nattering Nabobs of Negativism
Madame Arcati, the peculiar medium in Noël Coward’s comedy Blithe Spirit, is a most appropriate name for an anonymous wine blog. First off, pseudonyms should be feminine, as the traction attained by Noseweek pundit Tim James as The Widow on www.grape.org.za confirms. Madame Arcati directs events through séances which are a most suitable analogue for blind tastings – often rigged, they are an attempt to communicate with the dead – in this case, the terroir of vintages past.

Announcing the Amorim WineNews Newsmaker of the Year 2007
We were tied in (torn over!) our sentiments on who or what 2007’s ultimate “newsmaker” is, or should be. It’s a delicate decision, even for a relatively small-time operator such as ourselves; and the announcement – however informal and unaffected - demands of us to be responsible and considered. In the end we narrowed it down to a “who” and a “what”. So here’s the who, the what, and – most important – the why.

... the Rest
Today, our pick of loose ends worthy of a mention and or further reflection.

Columnist's Choice
Graham Howe has been a WineNews feature, well, forever. He is also wine and food editor of Habitat and an associate editor of Travel as well as a columnist for Eat Out: The Restaurant Guide, The South African, SA Inbound, Hospitality and Wine Tourism News.

Here’s his pick of the bunch.

The Year in People

In contemplating the introductory lines of our Newsmaker of the Year section that reflects on wine people in the news - so to speak - this past year, we pored over Tim Cohen's words in an article published in Business Day in March this year (click here) - time and again. In the end we gave up trying to say what Cohen said first and best...

The Year in News
Our inaugural list making late last year evoked some passionately held objections and a fair chunk of controversy. This we welcomed. The South African wine industry’s mood is, however, somewhat subdued compared to this time last year – a trend much longer in the making than the past 12 months - and thus our efforts in reflecting on 2007’s top stories would ultimately be marked with perhaps a little less light-heartedness.

Beer Boost For Rugby World Cup 2007
With South Africa’s hopes pinned on the Boks to make the final, and fans around the world stocking fridges with alcoholic refreshments, the local wine community can learn a trick or two about brand positioning around sporting events. Kim Maxwell tracked down Freek de Wette, International Sport Sponsorship Project Manager for Heineken International, in Amsterdam. He answered questions about the official beer of the Rugby World Cup 2007. 

World Leader in Cork Launches Industry's First Sustainability Report
CORTICEIRA AMORIM, market leaders in the cork industry, announced the publication of their first Sustainability Report late last week, reflecting jointly with its stakeholders on how to contribute to effective sustainable development.

Russia: Upwardly Mobile Yet Untapped Export Market
Journalist Igor Serdjuk addressed South African trade and media about the untapped potential of Russia as an export market for quality wines. Kim Maxwell took notes.

Unexpectedly Smaller Aussie Wine Grape Crop Points to Better Times for SA Exports
Although the last grapes from Australia’s 2007 wine grape harvest have yet to be picked and final statistics haven’t been compiled, the latest forecasts from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) call for a decline of over 30% in that country’s harvest, reports Lynn Bolin.

Another Dire Red Season for SA Bulk
Some of the country’s biggest buyers are predicting yet another drop in bulk red wine prices this year, while high-quality white wine prices are climbing already. As some buyers pay suppliers not to produce, even more farmers are struggling to remain in business and more vineyards are set to be uprooted as the red oversupply continues, reports Lynn Bolin.

Pendock Predicts
Donning his Mystic Meg bifocals, Neil Pendock pokes around in the steaming entrails of SA wine and comes up with some predictions for 2007.

Woolworths has "corking" wine sales so far in 2006
The retailer reports above-market sales growth, with sparkling wines topping the list amidst the biggest bubblies boom SA has ever seen. Lynn Bolin spoke with Woolies’ Buying Manager for Wine, Ivan Oertle.

Distell ratchets up local wine marketing to new levels
The group’s latest efforts are based on 18 months of extensive, in-depth consumer research, reports Lynn Bolin, who spoke with Distell’s Samantha Elsom, Category Marketing Manager for Global Wines. Could this finally be part of the hoped-for remedy for the ills afflicting SA wine sales in recent years?

Celebration time for Amorim in South Africa

A quarter of a century and over one billion corks later, Amorim is strengthening its leadership in South Africa. It remains 100% focused on cork quality and in delivering value to its customers.

Trimming the fat from the big heavies
One man’s meat may be another man’s poison, but higher alcohol wines are going to make them both equally fat and drunk. Now legislation allows winemakers to strip alcohol from some of the overly muscular wines which dominate the market. Leonie Joubert takes a look.

Shifting Chenin in Blighty (Revisited)
Commenting on the current feeding frenzy in contemporary art in the Spectator, the splendidly named Roderick Conway Morris remarked 'an ancient Roman sceptic wondered how, when two augurs passed in the street and caught one another’s eye, they managed not to burst out laughing.'

Making the best of a delicate situation

Critical though she’s been of the marketing hype around the Biodiversity & Wine Initiative (BWI), science writer Leonie Joubert still maintains it’s the most important conservation project to roll out in the Western Cape in years. She speaks to BWI boss Tony Hansen about his final contribution as he leaves the initiative in the hands of the industry.

Pretty in Pink
Launching a non-vintage Champagne is something of a contradiction in terms, but that said, Veuve Clicquot hosted a stonker in the triple-decker penthouse on the 33rd floor of the Michelangelo Towers last Thursday. With 360 bottles for 120 guests (at R419 retail, a pop) the stuff flowed like Champagne, writes Neil Pendock.

The not so new Bordeaux
For better or worse, things are on the move in Bordeaux. At a national level winemaking laws are about to change, finally legalising, among other things, the use of the controversial wood chip and experimentation with dealcoholisation of wine. Is this bastion of tradition moving ever closer to, dare we ask, the new world? Sophie Kevany reports from Bordeaux.

All silent on the GM front
The issue is not whether genetically modified vines are god sent or a new age Frankenstein, it’s about who’s calling the shots. Where is all the debate within the wine industry around the use of GMOs, asks science writer Leonie Joubert?

Harvest Report 6
Power outages prove costly for harvesting cellars
Recent electricity power cuts affecting the Western Cape have had an adverse knock-on effect on the 2006 harvest. Kim Maxwell used laptop battery power to file this report on Wednesday, but WineNews web postings were delayed by a day as outages continue.

Pinotage gives SA an edge - Michel Rolland
Famous in the wine world - and made infamous outside it by the film documentary Mondovino, the Fahrenheit 9/11 of the wine world – über consultant, Michel Rolland, is proud of what he does. ‘No one else does what I do. No one. No one has 100 clients in 12 countries. I am an archetype of a consultant.’

Wine Evolution 2006: Old World crisis versus Asian growth
The 7th edition of the Wine Evolution, held in Paris on the 30th & 31st of January 2006 by Skalli & Rein, has received up to 300 managers from the Global Sales & Marketing forum ...

Pendock Predicts
In 2004 America’s über-palate Robert Parker offered 12 predictions for the Mondovino circa 2015. The exercise was repeated by Reg Lascaris last year who decimalized the exercise down to ten prognostications and focused his entrails onto the SA industry. Neil Pendock continues the tradition and brings the event horizon down to 2006.

Putting a sock in it?
In order to be effective, marketing support material needs to convey the central brand message succinctly and in a way that remains memorable for a target group of consumers, writes Nicola Millson.

High-tech wine tourism hits the Cape
Talk about future shock. Tourism information technology comes to the winelands this season with the launch of the world’s first satellite-powered tourism guide. Graham Howe looks up to the skies to find the satellite source of the smart little black box mounted on the dashboard of his car, which talks to him in strange voices.

A new wine is born in Elim’s Eden
Owner and winemaker at Black Oystercatcher Wines Dirk Human, is passionate about being one of the newest members of South Africa’s hottest 'cool' areas - the Elim wine ward in the coastal Agulhas district at the southern most tip of Africa. Sara de Villiers attended the launch of Human's maiden vintage.

KWV-Racke JV Golden Kaan gathers steam
The brand has now sold over 500,000 cases and entered 21 markets worldwide. Similar to the Western Wines-Origin venture with Kumala, could this be the best model for South African wines to tackle the world? Lynn Bolin reports.

Amorim to introduce new steam cleaning process for natural corks
Amorim, the world’s largest cork company, which last year introduced a proprietary 2,4,6-trichloroanisole, or TCA-extraction process for the cork granules, is industrializing the process for natural cork, Wine Business Insider can reveal.

Pendock Unfiltered - Blaauwklippen Blending Competition
One of the oldest local wine competitions, the Blaauwklippen Blending Competition, which had its 22nd outing last weekend, is a solitary shining example of a competition that places consumers first, writes Neil Pendock.

WOSA signs up 260+ producers for London Mega Tasting
The new event should see several firsts for the industry, reports Lynn Bolin.

Enthovens not looking to divest from Winecorp
While the family is not planning to sell out its interests in the company, which owns the Spier, Longridge and Savanha brands, it would welcome strategic investors, Winecorp CEO Vernon Davis told Lynn Bolin recently.

The writing's on the cellar wall
The domestic market is on everybody’s agenda and Marthinus Saunderson, previously at the helm of the South African Wine Industry Trust (SAWIT), has just completed an MBA (Wine) at the University of Bordeaux Business School. His very timeous thesis was on the South African domestic market for wine.

KWV MD sees more price pressures, yet aims for double-digit growth
KWV’s Dr. Willem Barnard speaks with Lynn Bolin on local and international market conditions, and plans for 2005.

Seven steps to getting ahead in selling wine
After five decades of producing bulk wine, a former wine cooperative is undergoing a dynamic transition to making bottled wine for the domestic and export markets. Graham Howe talks to marketer Quintus Basson about putting The McGregor Wine Company on an already dense wine map.

Where SA sits in the wine wheel of fortune
Wine prices may appear to be a gamble, but determining factors can be identified. Kim Maxwell collates projections from two significant players on buying trends and prices for this year's trading.

The South African co-operative - quo vadis?
Henk Bruwer is the Executive Chairman of Wine Cellars South Africa (WCSA), the body mandated to represent the co-operative sector of the South African wine industry. His job, among other things and by his own admission, is to ‘play and manage the political game’ that is local wine production in a global context. WCSA members face daunting challenges in a wine landscape dramatically different from their founding fathers'. Jeanine Wardman asked Mr. Bruwer some tough questions. Part one of a two-part interview.

Danie de Wet on icons, exports and everything Els
It's not often you see one winemaker interview another. In a double-header, Jean Engelbrecht plays talk-show host with KWV Chairman Danie de Wet on the competitiveness of South African wine in the global wine scene, its strengths and weaknesses, the image-making role of icons and the future wine consumer. Graham Howe reports on an unusual dialogue between two of the Cape's top wine producers.

ASEV Seminar puts science at heart of wine closure debate
Controversy, experimentation and confusion seem to dominate the question of wine closures, especially as winemakers sample the growing list of alternatives. To shed light on this issue, the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s (ASEV) annual meeting in Seattle this June will feature the first comprehensive seminar to address the science of this issue.

Amorim acquires 50% of leading cork producer
Amorim & Irmaos SA, the world's largest cork stopper manufacturer, announced last week the acquisition of a 50 percent stake in Equipar, a leading Portuguese cork producer.

Ethical trade accreditation for Amorim SA
The major supplier of cork closures to the South African wine industry - Amorim Cork South Africa - has achieved accreditation by the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association (WIETA).