As part of its preparations to host the 2010 World Soccer Cup, South Africa is planning to train 2010 waiters to become sommeliers for the event. Support is being sought in this venture from Wine of South Africa, the organisation that promotes South African wines throughout the world.  These “young sommeliers” will have to become knowledgeable in wine to be able to talk about wines to tourists. Another more long-term goal is to anchor wine firmly within South African culture. (Source: VSB)

In Cyprus, where the reservoirs are almost dry, another liquid may also become scarce. Parched by a chronic drought, the island’s wine industry is under threat. Production was already very low last year, and “it is going to be worse this year”, said managing director of Loel, one of the country’s four largest wine companies.

Last year, the 15 000 hectares of vines produced 191 000 hectolitres of wine, down from 218 000 in 2006. (Source: AFP)

After a collapse in sales to the UK five years ago, exports of medium and higher quality red Bordeaux are prospering – defying the economic crisis.

Sales of Medoc and Haut Medoc appellation wines have more than doubled in quantity in the 12 months. Overall exports of Bordeaux to Britain, red and white, have increased by 13% in volume in the year to July and by 52% by value.

Exports of red Bordeaux to Britain have exploded because of the near-mythical reputation achieved by 2005 claret, regarded as one of the finest years. (Source: The Independent)

After having remained a confidential product for so many years, the pink Crémants d’Alsace are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. Of the 30 million bottles of Crémant offered for sale in 2007, 10% were pink. The attraction for this wine should encourage the planting of more Pinot Noir. (Source: VSB)

With more and more tourists visiting Cambodia and as Cambodian society gradually opens up to wine and spirits drinking, the market is beginning to take off. The leading beneficiary is France, who exported €3.55 million worth of wines and spirits there in 2007. This growth trend was confirmed over the first five months of 2008, when €1.5 million worth of wine and spirits were sent there, bearing in mind that these figures do not include imports from Singapore, where Cambodian importers also source large volumes. (Source: VSB)

The French government is said to be about to propose an increase in tax on alcoholic beverages. Every bottle of alcoholic drink purchased in France today is subject to a specific rate of excise. The government’s plan is to increase the tax on marketing wines by 16% in 2009. Then excise would be index-linked to consumer prices.

In France, the last increase in these indirect taxes was in 1996, but it only hit spirits and beer. The last rise in tax affecting wines was back in 1983. (Source: Sud Ouest)

Having consumed 9.4 million cases of still light wines in 2006, Uruguay is the fourth largest market in Latin America, and its volumes are 13% lower than in 1998. Uruguay is traditionally a wine producer and is the leading supplier of its own domestic market with a 98% share. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale – The IWSR)