The annual Australia trade tasting was held in London on February 3rd and I went along because Alice Normal, our infrequent London correspondent, was doing the AWRI (Australian Wine Research Institute) Master Class designed to test the tasting judgement of people in the trade which was part of the day's activities. The venue was the Saatchi Gallery near Sloane Square. Some 138 producers were showing their wines and they were represented by 48 UK agents. more...

Retail marketing is very easy; give the customers what they want. But what actually do customers want? The following quotes are from 'Is this man bigger than the Rolling Stones' by Stephen Ellis, Weekend Australian, November, 1st -2nd, 2008; an article about the sales and marketing success of Andre Rieu in Australia. more...

The quality English wine merchants Farr Vintners recently sent me and email which included this offer:
Chateau Latour 2003 £7,500/cs more...

Sales of French Champagne across the globe vary from 300 to 400 million bottles each year depending on economic conditions. This is very profitable business for producers and retailers. Of this amount about 10% is sold in the U.K. more...

In early December I found myself waiting near the checkout area of the Target store in Central Adelaide on the floor selling women's apparel. Near the checkouts is where you display tempting, impulse items, for purchase. Interestingly none of the items were related to clothing and being close to Christmas naturally had a festive theme. I also noted that many of the shoppers were young women. more...

A strong influence in marketing over the last few decades has been produced by consumer interest in the 'clean-green' movements, which encompass many concerns such as animal welfare, biodynamics, respect for a healthy planet and organic farming. Some retailers such as Body Shop pioneered a new approach to retailing while the American, Whole Foods chain has altered how conventional supermarkets handle these consumer movements. more...

Despite a long history of wine production, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, parts of Spain, Italy and Sicily remained in a long slumber with poor to indifferent wine being made for a local market. This is changing very fast and numerous well made wines frequently using local varieties are now on the market. more...

We all have different reasons why we started in the wine trade. I suspect for more than a few of us, it was to more easily afford what can be an expensive pass time. So it was that the hip hop artist Sadat X began his True Wine Connoisseurs videos last year. A number of American wine blogs have reported on Sadat's efforts and I recently spent an amusing hour or so catching up with his novel approach. more...

November, 14th found me at the Noon Wines cellar door in McLaren Vale to taste the new releases. Drew Noon returned to the family vineyard in 1996 and since then has built a great reputation and following for his signature, big style of wines, some of which can be over 16% alcohol. The 2008 vintage was very difficult due the heat and the shiraz suffered. This is what I learned. more...

A Very Serious Collection of Shiraz
Barosssa Shiraz 2008 Tasting Pack
We have been very fortunate lately with many terrific winemakers offering their wares. Here is a range of Barossa Valley Shiraz wines from the 2008 vintage that we have been gathering for your enjoyment. Very, very keenly priced.