Ray Smuts
IN THE United Kingdom, world's largest importer of wine, South Africa, which contributes 40% of total volume, is now fted for her products.
UK consumers and writers alike are particularly taken by the empowerment initiatives designed to transfer ownership and skills to wine farm worker communities, resulting in the outstanding quality of such labels as Freedom Road, Winds of Change and New Beginnings.
The UK's Wine Society News wrote recently: These changes are spearheaded by a dynamic band of producers who believe passionately in the potential of their country as a top-quality wine producer and who are prepared to invest all their time, money and energy in making it happen.
The United Kingdom is a fiercely contested arena where collectively New World producers hold a third share of the total market - Australia leading with 15% and South Africa and Chile with a 6% share each.
Thelma Harris of the
SA Wine Wine and Spirit Exporter's Association (SAWSEA) says while South Africa initially competed largely in the price-sensitive sector, it is extending its offerings in the premium range of wines, an important step in raising the quality profile of the country's wines as a whole.
South Africa exported 289,4 mllion litres of wine to the UK last year, an increase of 26% over the previous year.
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