Beautiful South smashes target

The Beautiful South tasting, a joint initiative between the generic bodies for Argentina, Chile and South Africa, has shot past its exhibitor target two months before the event takes place.

Over 280 producers from these three countries have currently signed up to take part in the tasting, which is being held at the newly refurbished Olympia 2 in London on 11 and 12 September 2013. Originally organisers had hoped to attract 250 exhibitors.

Although the majority of visitors are expected to come from the UK, where according to latest Nielsen data all three countries are currently experiencing value sales growth, buyers and press from across Europe and North America have also signed up to attend.

In addition to the exhibitor stands, the collaborative format will extend to six tasting zones, each of which will feature wines from all three countries.

These include “Champions of the South”, showing gold and trophy winning wines from major competitions; Chardonnay over £10, red blends, regional Cabernet Sauvignon, old vines and “New Generation” winemakers.

Both days will offer a series of seminars, all of which will feature two wines from each participating country.

Subjects include “Ageing Gracefully”, looking at older vintages; “Cool Customers”, exploring cooler growing regions; “The Pioneers”, featuring some of the countries’ first modern day wineries; and “Rule Breakers”, considering wines made by maverick producers.

For more information or to register, visit www.thebeautifulsouthtasting.com.