The releases are getting approval from several influential quarters, while sales continue to climb ahead of the games that start in June. UK-based Fiona Beckett, whose website www.matchingfoodandwine.com has become the first port of call for many before planning a dinner, has been twittering to her large base of followers how good these wines are and calls the “Cabernet in particular a steal”.
The 2009 FIFA Sauvignon Blanc has also been selected by the Sauvignon Blanc Interest Group to showcase the best of South Africa's expression of this varietal at the upcoming ProWein 2010, a leading trade show held annually in Dusseldorf that last year drew 35 000 delegates from 50 countries plus more than 1000 journalists. The wine is one of the “Pick of the Pack” of South African Sauvignon blancs to be tasted and discussed at the exhibition which starts on March 21.
Nederburg global marketing manager Rudolph du Toit says sales have been growing significantly in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, the UK and now Belgium, as well as in Canada, Brazil, Jamaica, Nigeria and Hong Kong. The special collection FIFA wines are also selling well through duty-free channels.
He said the winery was confident the additional listings gained as a result of the association with the games, would be replaced with other wines from the Nederburg range after December this year, when the special edition trio of wines will no longer be for sale.
“We also believe we are well placed to benefit from the growing awareness of value, irrespective of price point, as we apply the same meticulous attention to detail across our multi-tiered portfolio of award-winning wines, whether targeting connoisseurs or people who just delight in the simple pleasure of wine,” he added.
