Insights

The tipping point

Column - Robert Joseph 

Perspectives - London Wine Fair

The 34th London Wine Fair, held at London’s Kensington Olympia from 2 to 4 June, changed tack this year. Traditionally it has had an international appeal. This year organisers decided strategically to focus on the UK market. Stephen Quinn asked participants from four major wine-producing nations why they attended the fair, given the change of focus. Organisers said this year about 670 producers and importers showcased more than 12,500 wines.

Argentina’s wine industry adapts

Argentina, one of South America’s biggest economies, has had to grapple with reduced currency reserves and a current account deficit, which has had an impact throughout the economy. Daniel López Roca explains how it has affected the wine industry.

Still opportunity in Asia

When Vinexpo Asia-Pacific opened its doors in Hong Kong, there were questions over whether it would be affected by the Chinese slowdown. Robert Joseph was there to take the temperature.

Wine investment funds founder

Wine funds would appear to be in trouble, after a dip in Bordeaux prices and a string of high-profile closures. Defenders say much depends on the fund. Sophie Kevany reports.

MW stands for network

Panos Kakaviatos attended the recent Master of Wine symposium in Florence and discovered that the MW qualification is becoming more international. 

Bordeaux hits the wall

Column - Robert Joseph

Perspectives

In February, Vinisud, the trade fair for Mediterranean wines, reconvened in Montpellier. Adam Lechmere took the opportunity to ask south of France producers about their experiences on the export markets. Their thoughtful insights are applicable to exporters everywhere.

Politics and wine are a bad mix

An impending agreement with the EU is intended to push Ukrainian producers towards higher-quality production. But Eugene Gerden finds that the local wine industry is worried that they are going to be subject to competitive conditions they are not equipped to meet.

A greater threat than Phylloxera?

Phylloxera wiped out vineyards around the world at the end of the nineteenth century. International vineyard consultant Dr Richard Smart says vineyards are now seeing a much worse threat emerge – but one which is being ignored. He sounds the alarm on grapevine trunk diseases.

An en primeur to remember

If Bordeaux 2013 had not existed, says Sophie Kevany, critics of the system, and those who believe it will weed out the weakest links, might have been tempted to invent it.

The commodity reality

Column - Robert Joseph 

Ukrainian wine producers protest EU association

An impending agreement with the EU is intended to push Ukrainian producers towards higher quality production. But Eugene Gerden finds that the local wine industry is worried that they are going to be subject to competitive conditions they are not equipped to meet.

California’s property market churns

The property market for wineries and vineyards in California is buoyant, reports James Lawrence. Not only have some high profile wineries been sold, but investors are looking further afield, to states such as Oregon. What’s driving this churn in wine property?

Problems in bulk

During apartheid, South Africa sold wine in bulk as a way of bypassing sanctions. But a history of being too comfortable with selling wine in bulk has come back to bite South Africa. Michael Fridjhon reports.