In a country where most people drink rum or beer, being a sommelier can be thankless job. Due to an handful wine importers, there just isn’t much wine available to sell, and tasting is even more difficult for the country’s sommeliers, who make most of their living from tips.

Zudlay Nápoles, Havana’s best sommelier says that most of her wine knowledge has come from books and magazines, and internet (when she can gain access). She declared her dream were one day to taste a 100-point Bordeaux. (Source: Wine Spectator)

While ten years ago, there were very few women in the wine world, today they have clearly conquered it.

As seasoned consumers, they assert their tastes and are no longer shy about buying wine or ordering it in a restaurant. As professionals, they head up high profile companies, direct winegrowers’ associations and are experienced “sommeliers”.

All the press - national, specialised, general and women’s - is full of it: wine is also a feminine domain. Without doubt, women are passionate about wine and the world is interested in what enflames them so.

Vinexpo already commissioned the first international study on “Women and Wine” in 2000, and is now preparing a new study with 5 partners in Japan, UK, USA, Germany and France to gauge how much has changed in this quiet revolution.

Perhaps this new study will show that women are the future of wine … (Source: Vinexpo)

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) may welcome China to its ranks in 2011, when the country is offering to organise the OIV congress. Since the event can only be held in a member country, negotiations are speeding up to enable China to join the Organisation shortly. (Source: VSB)

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)