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IX FESTIVAL OF

SOUTH AFRICAN WINES


IN MOSCOW
The annual Festival of SA Wines in Moscow was held at the Metropol
Hotel on 30 May 2018. The 9th celebration of wine from the far and
exotic country traditionally attracted the wide interest from the
sophisticated Moscow public, and especially - from the wine
professionals. For the fifth time the event took place under the vaulted ceiling of the Onegin Hall,
which created the atmosphere of a large wine cellar.

The event was held on the background of the phenomenal import


growth of the packaged wine from South Africa to Russia. In 2017
the South African winemakers shipped almost 6 million litres of
bottled wine to Russia, which is double comparing to the year
before. Or 3 times more, if we compare to 2013! This firmly
reinstated Russia in the top ten directions of wine exports from
South Africa. As to the share of the Russian market, South Africa
has risen to the 7th position in monetary terms, leaving Portugal,
Moldova, Germany and Argentine behind.

It must be noted that the draught of the recent years in the


Western Cape has severe negative impact on the winemaking. The
volume of processed grapes in 2017 was slightly higher than in
the previous year, but still considerably below the level of 2015.
The exports showed some growth, too. However, many producers
complain about the shortage of wine. The total vineyard area in
South Africa has been steadily declining over the past ten years.

Nevertheless, we have enough reasons to remain


optimistic. The situation with wine imports into
Russia has largely stabilized. General price increases
often play in favour of South African winemakers,
since their produce has excellent price / quality ratio
and is considered as a “spare landing ground” for
many consumers. This year South Africa celebrates
several notable anniversaries, including the
centenary of Nelson Mandela and, closer to our topic,

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the centenary of KWV – which played the role of the “Ministry of
Winemaking” through most of the last century, and is one of the
biggest and most celebrated producers today! The latest exports
statistics demonstrate the continuing healthy growth of about 10% of
wine volumes shipped to Russia. Cape Wine, which is held once in
three years and is the biggest show of SA wines and also the most
successful wine exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, is taking place
in Cape Town in September. There will be over 5 000 wines from more
than 300 wineries and this will definitely be another boost to the
success of South African wines on the world markets.

Most of the South African wine brands imported to Russia were


represented at the IX Festival of SA Wines in Moscow. Among them
were the wines of the regular participants, such as DGB, KWV,
Kaapzicht, Simonsig, Perdeberg and others, which have been successfully supplying wines to
Russia for a long time. There were also several new producers: Stellenview, Olsen, Painted Wolf
and Van Loveren, which are enthusiastically searching for reliable partners and entry points to
the Russian market. The South African import portfolios were demonstrated by many prominent
Russian importers: Classica, Alianta, LaVina, MBG, Eurowine, Fort, TD Aroma, Ladoga, AST-
International Environment, Sommelier, etc.

Throughout the day the Onegin Hall was


filled with the Festival guests, many of
whom have been coming to this event
over several years. The majority of
visitors were the sommeliers and cavists
of the various Moscow establishments.
There were also many representatives
of import and distribution companies, as
well as wine retailers, students of
sommelier schools, wine bloggers and
journalists. None of the exhibitors could
complain about the lack of attention.
Over 650 guests, exhibitors and
organizers went through the Festival
doors on the day.

Aside from sampling wines at the participants’ exhibition stands, the Festival guests were
entertained by the seminar “News from the South African Vineyards” and the fun wine tasting
competition “Battlefield: South Africa 2.0”. Some bright colours were added to the event by the
fashion-show of the ethnical collection in the afroprint style «The voice of passion 2018/19 by
Kristina Adushkina & Mila Mironova»

The Festival was organized by the


Wine Extreme agency under the
patronage of the Embassy of South
Africa in Russia. Mr. Moloko
Leshaba, Minister-Counsellor:
Economic, attended the Festival and
delivered a short welcome address at
the opening ceremony. Publishing
House “Imperia Vkusa” partnered
with the Festival, the same as in
previous years.

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The Festival organizers express the deepest gratitude to the South African winemakers and their
Russian partners, which participated in the Festival and made the invaluable contribution to the
promotion of the excellent South African product on this demanding market. Wine from South
Africa remains an exotic mystery for many Russian consumers. Thus, raising awareness and
improving the image of the SA brands are the tasks of paramount importance.

The next year is the big anniversary for the Festival: 10 years running! We are strongly hoping
to enter it with even bigger success and notable achievements!

Follow our announcements!


The complete photo-gallery of the IX Festival: https://photos.app.goo.gl/cWbct0GMufTWvCGK2

Sincerely,

Vladimir Gorodkov
Festival Director

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