The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
62 results across all types
video2022/23 FROM GLOOM TO OPTIMISM?
"There is a marked difference between blind optimism and brutal, active optimism. The former is simply wishful thinking, but the latter is an absolutely essential strategy for business growth in tough economic conditions." This was one of the key insights from our first webinar of the year, which tackled opportunities and threats that face the South African Wine Industry in 2023. The discussion opened with a recap of market conditions in 2022, and the key learnings gleaned. The discussion took a refreshing turn as our panellists identified positive market conditions that will surely provide producers and members of the trade with the courage to be front-footed in their business strategies for the year ahead.
videoWine Packaging and the Impact on Sales
Listen to our webinar and learn how packaging affects customer choice and, more specifically, how labelling influences a consumer’s perception of the brands they encounter in a retail scenario. We share hard market data on how certain words affect the perception of value, and more subjective studies of some of South Africa’s wine branding successes over the years.
videoCapeWine 2022: Feedback and insights from WOSA CEO Siobhan Thompson
Following on from a successful CapeWine 2022, we met up with Wines of South Africa CEO, Siobhan Thompson, to unpack the strategy behind its theme of "Sustainability 360". Siobhan also shares some of her thoughts on the challenges facing South African wine on a global scale and gives her insight on the areas in which South African wine can grow and shine.
videoThe Tim Atkin SA Wine Report - Insights from the man himself
Just moments before the historic Tim Atkin 95+ point wine tasting in Cape Town, Jono got to sit down with Tim Atkin to discuss a full decade of Tim's South African Wine Reports. This podcast includes Tim's highlights of the year, and what excites him for the future of South African wine. Points discussed in this episode include the state of South African wine in global markets, the future of Syrah in the country, and the need for vignerons to begin future-proofing against climate change.
videoSUSTAINABLE ENERGY IN WINE PRODUCTION
South African wine producers are more motivated than ever to transition towards renewable energy; if not to operate more sustainably from an environmental perspective, then certainly to protect themselves against potential losses at the hands of an increasingly erratic national power supply. For this webinar, we gathered a group of renewable energy experts, wine consultants and sustainability managers to de-mystify this process of change and offer practical steps to begin the journey. Points discussed include the art of systems analysis, the need to understand the connection between water and energy, and - crucially - the need to invest in one’s workforce to ensure that one’s efforts to shift towards sustainability are - in themselves - sustainable!
videoThe buying power of black wine consumers
In July 2022, Vinimark gathered a panel of some of South Africa's pioneering black wine marketers, distributors and retailers to discuss the expectations and needs of black wine drinkers versus what wine marketers and retailers are actually delivering. The conversation highlighted significant challenges, but also clear opportunities for producers who are willing to take the time to build consumer trust the old-fashioned way. And so it is that Vinimark is following up that earlier conversation by chatting to Thapelo Mokoena to try and answer those questions. Thapelo is the co-owner of the Nero wine brand, which is a joint venture between Bosman Family Vineyards (South Africa's largest Fairtrade producer) and Bakoena Brands - Thapelo's own stable of food and hospitality businesses. Thapelo is not only a wine brand owner, but also a restaurateur, film actor, and TV producer.
videoWhat is Regenerative Viticulture?
In the run-up to Cape Wine 2022, and its theme of Sustainability 360, we spoke to author Jamie Goode about the concept of Regenerative Viticulture. We were keen to know how to measure sustainability, how carbon content affects soil health, and whether improved soil health might adversely affect wine quality. Jamie came back with some interesting answers and also gave us a sneak peak into some of the hot topics covered in his upcoming book, "The New Viticulture", which offers a far more in-depth and technically detailed framework for the future of viticulture in a fast-changing planet.
videoThe buying power of black wine consumers
Black consumers are exploring the category of wine with enthusiasm and certainly have the buying power to support their growing interest. But is there a disconnect between these consumers and the industry? To find out, Vinimark hosted a webinar with a panel of wine brand owners, marketers, and retail specialists. They had a thought-provoking dialogue around what South African wine can and should be. Suggestions for authentic connection were shared that could address the low level of trust between black wine consumers and the wine industry. All panellists agreed that it is imperative to put the customer first and take the time to understand and really connect with the community before you try to sell your brand. Learning happens from within communities, so connect and establish relationships of trust before you sell.
videoThe changing face of digital wine marketing
Navigating digital marketing and being able to stand out in the cluttered online world can be tricky. In the latest Vinimark webinar, our panellists shared their insights on how best to reach consumers via digital channels. They cover important points about target audiences, brand and communications strategies, choice of platforms and investing in data capture
videoYeasts, Thiols and Wine Flavour Development
Wine geeks, assemble! In our latest podcast episode titled Yeasts, Thiols and their effect on wine flavour development, we have a fascinating contribution from Dr Carien Coetzee, the founder of Basic Wine. Carien is a doctor of Agricultural Oenology, as well as an international wine judge for the Concours Mondial du Sauvignon. It's all in an afternoon's work for her as she effortlessly unpacks some of the science behind thiol-boosting yeasts, and explains how yeast nutrients can modulate flavour during fermentation. She also discusses some exciting discoveries and innovations that are opening up new possibilities for winemakers.
videoReflections on 2021 & market predictions for 2022
As we enter 2022, we reflect on the state of wine commerce in 2021 and how the restrictions, economic challenges and changes in operation might impact business going forward. To make sense of the changing patterns, new market demands and consumer behaviours, we have assembled a panel of experts to share their keen insights on what the year 2022 might hold for producers, distributors, retailers and restaurants within the South African wine landscape. Our guest panel: Eckhardt Gerber - Vinimark CEO Rico Basson- Vinpro MD Sophie Jump - British wine strategist and marketing expert
videoFuture-Focussed Wine Brands
In our latest podcast episode titled Future-Focussed Wine Brands, Jono speaks to Lulie Halstead, CEO of Wine Intelligence about her incredibly useful framework for helping wine producers and brands be more future-focussed, and strategically position themselves for maximum commercial success during the decade heading up to 2030. She identified six elements: Awareness / Availability / Accountability / An accommodating mindset / Affluence and Adaptability. It's been four years since Lulie shared this framework and with CAPEWINE2022 just around the corner, it felt like a good time to take stock of her Six A's, to see how they're holding up.
videoThe Fine Wine Debate with Pauline Vicard - shortened version
In this Vinimark podcast episode titled The Fine Wine Debate, we speak to CEO of the Areni Global Institute, Pauline Vicard, about her wine industry study: "The Future of the Fine Wine Consumer". Together we try to figure out where South Africa's top-tier wines fit into the global picture of fine wine. We grapple with what the term "fine wine" actually means, and explore how a "nice wine" may be different to a "good wine". Pauline shares her own thoughts on the definition, as well as what global wine critics and industry professionals deem of utmost importance when distinguishing "fine wine" from everything else.
videoThe Fine Wine Debate with Pauline Vicard - Part 2
In the second of our two-part series titled The Fine Wine Debate, we continue the conversation with Areni Global Institute CEO, Pauline Vicard. In this final episode, we explore what it means to declare wine as a "cultural product". Pauline shares more on how the consumer mindset differs slightly to the industry mindset when it comes to deciding which wines are "fine" and which ones are not.