Sep 16 2009

Open Letter to Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group

Published under Wine PR Talk

Kiwi's love what?

Kiwi's love what?

SIR
As someone keenly following the progress of the South African wine industry, especially its foray into international markets, I wish to bring this communication to your attention.
The news release (see below) covers the category of South African Sauvignon Blanc, and states that one of its brands is making headway into the New Zealand market. However, nowhere in the media release is any reference made to evidence of an increase in popularity of this wine in any Antipodean region. This is, of course, unless the words ΓÇ£well receivedΓÇ¥ can be interpreted as evidence of such success, although no figures or quotes are provided to back up this claim.
It is a pity that this kind of mindless communication is accepted by an Interest Group which represents arguably South AfricaΓÇÖs most exciting white wine category.
Yours faithfully
Darien Morgan
     �
KIWIS SHOW TASTE FOR DURBANVILLE HILLS
New Zealand, regarded by many as the source of the world’s most exciting Sauvignon blancs, is developing a thirst for Sauvignons from Durbanville Hills, says the brand’s marketing manager Jackie Olivier.  “New Zealanders are in the enviable position of having access to some of the most iconic Sauvignons, so it is particularly flattering for us that Durbanville Hills is being so well received in this market. At the same time, we are experiencing growth with this varietal in Australia, also well-populated with Sauvignon enthusiasts.”
Olivier said the six Durbanville Hills gold medals won on the 2009 Michelangelo International Wine Awards would in all likelihood act as a further incentive for Australasians to buy wines from the range, recognised for their cool-climate fruit intensity, readily discernible expression of terroir and capacity to age with grace.
She added that the Canadian, Swedish and Dutch markets, where the brand was showing good growth, would also welcome the news.
Three of the wineryΓÇÖs six golds were for Sauvignons: the 2008 Rhinofields Sauvignon Blanc, 2009 Rhinofields Inner Valley Sauvignon Blanc and the single-vineyard 2008 Biesjes Craal Sauvignon Blanc.

6 responses so far

6 Responses to “Open Letter to Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group”

  1. Dionysuson 16 Sep 2009 at 9:34 am

    Ja nee! This is just PR speak=lekker kak praat.

    readily discernible expression of terroir ….go figure that all the way in rainy NZ and sunny Aus….Put a Durbanville Sauvi in a blind line up against 5 other NZ’s Sauvi’s and ask and average punter to spot the Bok amongst the All Black….no chance!

    Regards
    Dionysus
    http://www.thetravellingvineyard.blogspot.com

  2. Pieter de Waalon 16 Sep 2009 at 5:30 pm

    Dear Darien

    It seems that you are confusing the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group (SBIG) with a specific producer (Durbanville Hills).

    The Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group strives to increase the awareness, both locally and internationally, of the excellent quality Sauvignon Blanc wines produced in South Africa, while at the same time also supporting producers of this noble grape by presenting technical seminars and giving general assistance to the industry.

    The Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group will be going on a “Sauvignon Blanc Safari” during October where we will be presenting theme tastings of some of South Africa’s finest Sauvignon Blanc wines in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Germany and the United Kingdom. These are all markets where we have seen good growth over the past few years (I would recommend that you get hold of the SAWIS reports on exports if you would like to get a better picture of export growth to these markets).

    It is, however, not one of the roles of the SBIG to vet press releases done by producers and I would recommend that you make direct contact with Durbanville Hills or Distell to clarify your queries in this regard.

    Ps. I appreciate and share your notion that Sauvignon Blanc currently constitutes “South Africa’s most exciting white wine category” and the recent accolades bestowed on this variety surely indicate that Sauvignon Blanc is on track to become South Africa’s signature white wine grape variety.

    Regards

    Pieter de Waal
    Secretary: SBIG
    083 357 3864

  3. Darien Morganon 17 Sep 2009 at 8:03 am

    Dear Pieter
    Thanks for your reply. Your response unfortunately displays the paucity of co-ordination in the industry when it comes to communications issues. If a major South African producer is claiming to be thrilling a particular market with its sauvignon blancs, surely the Interest Group should be aware of this so as to assist in getting this wonderful message across? Since moving from the UK the one hand’s lack of knowing what the other is doing in the wine industry stands out like – ‘scuse me – a sore thumb. All the best with your good work in promoting a South African variety that is going to rule the world – provided you can make enough of it.
    Darien

  4. Jans Bestbieron 18 Sep 2009 at 9:46 am

    Darién,

    Soos in Tarien van Egoli, my ou tjommie, drop nou jou Ingelsgeit.

    Jy is so boers as kan kom, seg ek nou wat weet van tongval en wegval.

    En, waarom kom loop staan jy met stront soos die Γò¼├┤Γö£├ºΓö£ΓöÉvoorryΓò¼├┤Γö£├ºΓö£├╗ van Suid-Afrikaanse wyn op die internasionale mark. Dis mos nou puur kop-se-kap daai. Ons is berugte agterryers, maar ons staan reeds diep in die internasionale mark – so liesdiep, dat ons nie meer toontjie natmaak nie. Comprehende.

    As ΓÇÿn deurwinterde Afrikaner, is dit duidelik dat die berig waarop jy reageer deur net nog ΓÇÿn PR-agentskap uitgestuur is. Daai ouens wat elke maand ΓÇÿn retainer kry om gerugte te draai sodat dit die skyn van vleis om die lyf dra. So what? Tjeggiese skrapsdansers vind groot byval by Wellingtonse boere, maar wat beteken dit? Die girls dans net en as jy vat, betaal jy dollars of met ingeskopte ribbes, of as jy wegraap, moet jy ΓÇÿn paspoort iewers vandaan optoor. Dis natuurlik as jy verby Mammie kan kom of kyk.

    En wat is die Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group? Betaal hulle vir ΓÇÿn man rente, of wat? Hoe weet ΓÇÿn Brother- Art-Thou van die mense?

  5. Undeginehicon 27 Jul 2011 at 1:22 pm

    инструкция по установке и настройке jimm на телефон samsung

  6. georeodiaon 30 Jul 2011 at 11:18 am

    быстые диетытяньши чай для похудениядиета как похудеть на 7 кг за 2 неделиснижение веса после кормления грудьюдиета при оксалатных соляхдиета на мюсляхпохудей 12 2009при угревой сыпи нужно соблюдать диетуможно ли похудеть на крупахгрибы во время диетыкак похудеть в лицепримеры диеты для ребенка с повышенным весомзолотой шарик для похудения купитьорт что съесть что бы похудетьклуб правильного питания бутовокак похудеть простой способ народныйкафедра диетологии и нутрициологии рудндиета яблочного уксосакак похудеть девочке 14 летведет прием диетолог маргарита королева

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