A cool combination: The Beautiful South tasting preview

Three of the southern hemisphere’s biggest wine-producing nations: Argentina, Chile and South Africa are teaming up for a combined tasting of more than 3,000 wines.

Argentina

September sees the arrival of a new and unusual tasting format in London, a collaboration between three of the southern hemisphere’s biggest wine producing nations – Argentina, Chile and South Africa.

More than 300 producers, 79 from Argentina, 84 from Chile and 167 from South Africa, as well as agents, will descend on Olympia London in west Kensington with more than 3,000 wines for the two-day event. The new approach was borne out of calls from the trade for fewer tastings (particularly where dates clashing) and for a fresh approach.

As a result, Wines of Chile, Wines of Argentina and Wines of South Africa have responded with the Beautiful South, which, as Jo Wehring, UK market manager for Wines of South Africa explains, was the seed of an idea that, “came to fruition at ProWein, where we ran a series of seminars, first with New World countries and then focusing on the southern hemisphere. Strategically, it made sense to pick up on the southern hemisphere theme and run with that.

This event positions our three countries as dynamic and forward-thinking; we’re not afraid to stand together to create a tasting that better suits the needs of the trade and our producers. It’s a confident move, achievable because we are all very active in promoting our wines in our leading export markets.”

Andres Lavados, export director for Viña Santa Rita, provides a view from the producers’ stalls. He says: “There’s a lot of common ground with these countries, but many differences, too. That gives you much to talk about. The big fairs are tiring – you need more focus – but sometimes having one country is too little. The merit of this is that you have enough scope, but enough of a focus so that it’s not overwhelming.”

There will, of course, be seminars (see box-out) covering a range of topics, including cool-climate viticulture, ageing potential and climate change. There will also be themed tables to help narrow the selection down for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of thousands of wines.

Six tables will be in play, each showcasing wines from all three countries. It is a significant feature of this tasting, very much in the spirit of co-operation, that none of the seminars and tastings are country specific, they all give equal space and time to the three participants. The first table will present “Champions of the South”, wines that have won gold medals or equivalent at international competitions.

South Africa

Next there is a table for red blends, which is fairly self-explanatory, though it is sub-divided according to retail price brackets, so there are £7–£10; £10–£15 and £15+ categories. Similarly straightforward is the New Generation Winemakers table, which will explore the young talent, aged 35 and under, emerging in the southern hemisphere. Expect lots of hipster-like beards and far-out varieties from Swartland, which appears to be a particularly vibrant region for up-and-coming vintners.

Regional Cabernet Sauvignon dominates another table. All the wines have to be 100% Cabernet and will be region- or even single-vineyard specific. There is no need to call on the grape equivalent of Debrett’s (Jancis Robinson’s Wine Grapes?) at the Old Vines table, where the only requirement for entry is that the vines in question be at least 30 years old – single varieties and blends welcome.

Finally, continuing Chardonnay’s rehabilitation, a table has been set aside for examples over £10. How far is the unoaked trend travelling? The importance of Fairtrade wines in all three countries will also be highlighted with a designated area. The category is an important one for the southern hemisphere, both from a financial and an ethical perspective. And it is a growing one, up 8% in value and 32% in volume to 8.7m litres over 2012. Look out, as well, for new packaging, new releases and plenty of organic and biodynamic wines.

All in all, it is hoped that the feeling will be, “closer to a wine show”, says Wehring, rather than a generic tasting event. It would be impossible to run through all the wines on offer, but nearly all the respective countries’ big names will be in attendance.

These include Catena Zapata, Bodegas Fabre, Diam Andes, Clos de los Siete, Graffigna and Zuccardi from Argentina; Baron Philippe de Rothschild, Concha y Toro, Emiliana, Errázuriz and MontGras from Chile and AA Badenhorst, Du Toitskloof, Groot Constantia, Oldenburg, Paul Cluver and Ken Forrester from South Africa. Many will be taking their own tables, but others will be represented by their agents including, Ehrmanns, Boutinot, Liberty, Fells, Buckingham Schenk, Hatch Mansfield, Bibendum and Pernod Ricard. It is equally impossible – and would be wrong – to try to generalise as to what each of the three countries will choose to concentrate on. But the focus tables give an indication of the image these countries are trying to build.

However, basing one’s theories from recent press articles (not least those in the pages of the drinks business) expect an emphasis on value, quality and, to an extent, premium wines from South Africa. Equally there will be a focus on wines made at altitude and in more restrained styles from Argentina and regionality and in cool climates from Chile.

A watchful eye on sparkling wines would not go amiss, either. It has been frequently noted how the category is likely to expand in the UK and there will be many fizzies to be found – particularly from Chile and South Africa.

Casa Silva and Stellar Organics will both be unveiling new sparkling wines at the tasting, the former is described as “super premium”, while the latter bears the armorial “organic and Fairtrade”.

Chile

Look out, too, for the likes of Simonsig, Viña Tamaya and blanc de blancs from Viña Leyda and Valdivieso. From Argentina perhaps seek out native grapes such as Torrontés and Bonada.

And what of the future? Is this new format the template for all future tastings of big generics? Can it be repeated?

There is no reason to dismiss the notion that other countries, other generic bodies, will watch this tasting with keen interest. For the participants themselves, there is a tentative notion that it is a formula that will bear repetition in other markets – if it comes off well in the UK. As Wehring points out, for the producers, “the cost is much lower that other events in Europe and the audience will be better than previous generic tastings”.

In some measure, as Wines of Argentina’s managing director Andrew Maidment, observes, the event has already proved a success given the high sign-up rate from the producers.

If the suggestion had been greeted with apathy from producers, particularly the market leaders, it would have died a death, but instead it was oversubscribed by 50 tables, with more than 300 sold.

Maidment says that it makes sense for the countries to continue their collaborative efforts.

“I hope it paves the way for deeper collaboration in the future both in the UK and other markets,” he says. “We all have similar goals. We’re all looking to promote wine and particularly wines from the southern hemisphere.”

Boutinot’s New World buyer, Robin Naylor, thinks that the increased size may mean that buyers miss out on tasting or finding certain wines, however. “It does make sense to cut down the number of tastings though, as there is so much pressure on people’s time,” he says. “Who else might pair up? Only those, I suppose, who are not getting enough attendees, where pairing up makes it a more worthwhile trip for a buyer – certainly emerging-producer countries and markets – China, Brazil and others, Eastern Europe and agents with complementary portfolios. A combined Australia and New Zealand tasting would prove popular, given the busy schedule, but it might be difficult to agree on dates.”

If the Beautiful South comes across as a successful and viable format, future participants may have to do just that.