In the lead-up to the event, an extensive marketing and media campaign, including high-profile advertising in popular consumer pages and extensive coverage in the press, online media, radio and television, has been embarked upon. Private wine merchants Frogitt & Vonkel will also be sending out 12 000 free VIP tickets to its customers in the Johannesburg area.
For the first time, exhibitors such as wine producers and wine retailers will be able to sell wine products from their stands, either through their normal distribution chain or a delivery service through Frogitt & Vonkel.
Visitors will be able enjoy free wine-tasting hosted by various industry experts, and demonstrations on matching wine and food hosted by award-winning chefs, Craig Cormack and Bertus Basson. The Cape Wine Academy will be offering courses for visitors on interesting topics, ranging from "Ice cream and Wine" to "Cape versus Bordeaux blends". A special Boutique Corner is available for the smaller wine farms and garagistes, with larger stands being reserved by major wine retailers, flagship local producers and international labels.
Meanwhile, down in the Cape, RMB WineX Cape Town, now in its fourth consecutive year, will once again be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre in late August and early September. Sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank, WineX offers a comprehensive showcase of over 1 200 wines per night from more than 200 of the country's top wineries. WineX partners include British Airways Comair and 567 Cape Talk.
RMB WineX 2006 represents the entire spectrum of Cape wine producers, showcasing every wine route in the country. Winemakers will be there to meet WineX-goers in person. Along with handcrafted cheese and olive oils for tasting and buying, imported and local wine accessories and glassware will also be on show for the anticipated 3 000 visitors per night.
In conjunction with RMB WineX, 567 Cape Talk will again hold the Best-Wine-on-Show awards, South Africa's first significant wine awards decided by the public. WineX-goers who cast their votes will go into daily draws for fantastic prizes sponsored by BA Comair. Award categories are Best White Wine on Show and Best Red Wine on Show.
RMB WineX Johannesburg will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre 24 - 27 October.
