LIQUOR NEWSLETTERS

Malt beer saw conservative growth in 2012 compared to previous years, though it is still seen as a very popular product amongst the adult population of South Africa. In recent years effort has been put into limiting the consumption of this product through laws and prohibiting the sale of alcohol during certain hours. read more

The Statement on the Cabinet meeting of 18 September 2013 records that Cabinet had "approved the publication of the Control of Marketing of Alcoholic Beverages Bill, 2013 in the Government Gazette for public comment". read more

An unprecedented 91% increase in price per litre paid at the 2013 Nederburg Auction, held at Nederburg in Paarl , 60 km outside Cape Town, earlier this month is excellent news for South African producers, and an affirmation that the event’s increased focus on quality is paying off. read more

The Distell Group succeeded in raising revenue 11,9% to R15,9bn on a sales volume increase of 7,2% for the year to June 2013. read more

A new breed of consumer is challenging the way that retailers package, price and distribute their products, says Gareth Pearson, CEO of BMi Research. read more

One of the most respected observers of the global wine industry and a frequent speaker at major international wine events, has called South Africa "amongst the most exciting wine countries in the world" and says he is "dazzled by the complete revolution in wine and wine tourism" that has been taking place in the country over the past 25 years. read more

Cape wine tourism can help boost the overall economic growth generated by tourism, a sector that has been flagged by national government as a priority contributor to GDP. This is according to Alderman Patricia de Lille, Executive Mayor of the City of Cape Town and Alderman Cornelius de Bruyn, Executive Mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality. read more

Ongoing advances in vineyard management together with very favourable climatic conditions in the lead-up to the 2013 harvest had produced an absolutely outstanding vintage for the Cape, according to Callie van Niekerk, who heads Distell's winery operations.  read more

The heads of one of the biggest buyers of South African wine in Europe said at a media briefing in Cape Town on Wednesday (6 March) that they were “very impressed” with the work being done in the local wine industry in the area of social responsibility. At the same time South Africa remained “fairly high up” on the organisation’s list of risk countries which also include Chile and California.  read more

At its annual general meeting earlier this month Nampak, Africa’s largest packaging company, announced that it is investing R1.6 billion in two of its core businesses which produce bottles and cans for the growing beverage market. read more

Following a few very tough years, the South African wine industry is being buoyed by a new sense of optimism on the back of record export levels, the likelihood of one of the best harvests this year, the penetration of new markets and growing praise from some of the wine world's most influential opinion formers. read more

A quick Google search of the phrase “buy liquor online South Africa” reveals a number of co.za websites selling alcoholic beverages. While they make an interesting comparison to brick and mortar liquor stores in terms of compliance, they also provide a crisp layer of competition. read more

There is an age old debate on whether drinks are better in a can or in a bottle.  read more

Multinational warehouse chain Makro, a subsidiary of Massmart, itself a subsidiary of international retail giant Walmart, is rolling out upwards of 80 000 of Pricer's electronic shelf labels (ESLs), supplied by Skydirect, an XON company, to the liquor departments in all 16 stores across South Africa.  read more

A discussion around the last 187 years of history would make for some lively dinner conversation, and would probably only be eclipsed by drinking a dessert wine that is as old as the stories going round the table. What would such a vintage taste like that has survived arguably the most dynamic period in mankind’s history? read more

2012 is without a doubt, a standout vintage – especially for the red wines.” Stephan Joubert, DGB Viticulturist read more

Guests at this year's prestigious Nederburg Auction won't want to miss the keynote address by best-selling US author and wine expert Mike Veseth on Saturday 29 September at Nederburg in Paarl. read more

The election of Charles Hopkins as chairperson of the South African National Wine Show Association (SANWSA) during the recent Annual General Meeting of the Association heralds a new era not only for this extensive industry body, but also for the country’s two biggest and most influential wine competitions, the SA Young Wine Show and Veritas Awards. read more

Capturing consumer interest and engagement is at the heart of an$y brand building campaign and in today’s marketing arena, there are countless ways of building brands from outdoor advertising to store activation and promotions. read more

Cape Wine, hosted by Wines of South Africa (WOSA), is back after four years with a significant commitment from producers keen to showcase the major advances in local winemaking to the international trade fraternity of wine buyers, restaurateurs, sommeliers and media. read more

The total loss of revenue of the proposed alcohol advertising ban is expected to be around R2.6-billion, resulting in about 2500 jobs in the media industry being threatened – and this number is a “conservative estimation,” said Barry Sayer, CEO Continental Outdoor Media read more

The Company Of Wine People recently announced exciting news that its Kumkani brand has entered into a BEE partnership with winemaker, Allison S Adams-Witbooi, at the helm. We speak to Allison about how this newly formed bond will develop Kumkani as a brand and what contribution it will make to the South African wine industry as a whole.  read more

The volume of spirits consumed in South Africa has been relatively flat for a number of years, but value continues to show good growth.  read more

Our newly launched QR code service makes it easier for consumers to engage with your liquor brands.  read more

The festive season is soon upon on us, which means consumers will be stocking up on their favourite liquor beverages for the holidays. This is an important time for liquor retailers and they need to ensure that they capture their share of the spike in consumers spending.  read more

Despite weaker consumer demand, SABMiller has sold 3% more beer globally in the first half of its 2012 financial year. Against this backdrop, we take a look at an analysis of malt beer in South Africa, presented by BMI Research read more

Against a backdrop of pending restrictions on alcohol advertising, South African wine and alcoholic beverage producers may have to be even more creative in getting consumers to engage with their brands.  read more

Wine producers on fastmoving.co.za have been winning prestigious awards of late read more

The World’s most expensive bottle of white wine was recently purchased for £75,000 by a private collector by the name of Christian Vanneque. This rare bottle of white wine, an 1811 Chateau d’Yquem will be on display at Christian Vanneque’s restaurant, the SIP Sunset Grill in Bali, Indonesia, when this establishment opens in September. read more

In a world of non-renewable resources sustainability is essential. A commonly overlooked resource, water, has recently come under the spotlight again. Fresh water is a vital element in the alcohol production process and is used intensely throughout. Because of its perceived abundance it is often used with abandon, and now the cost is being seen. read more

In a volatile market which is facing both domestic and foreign challenges, the wine industry is looking very hard for growth opportunities. Tourism provides ideal platform to sell and market South African wines, the industries share a symbiotic relationship and growth in one will result in growth in the other.  read more

This month we’re running a short feature (read it here) which deals with the issue of reaching customers in the liquor environment, and on Monday morning I read an interesting article which dealt with the looming ban on alcohol advertising (read that here) and I could not help but connect the dots. read more