Markets, business and trade

A decision made in Pretoria can change the way a wine business operates. But who makes sure the people making those decisions understand what happens on the ground? South Africa Wine’s Jordyn Goeieman takes us inside the often unseen work of influencing the policies that affect the industry.

With professionals from more than 169 countries attending Wine Paris in 2026, the exhibition has become an increasingly important meeting point for the global wine trade. Nicolas Cuissard, Director of Wine Paris, speaks to WineLand about the exhibition’s growing international influence, opportunities for South African producers and what it takes to turn participation into business.

From smarter fermentation to water-saving bottling systems, this year’s SIMEI Innovation Challenge winners offer a glimpse of where winery technology is heading.

A wine bottle protects what is inside. It also tells a story about the brand, influences how consumers perceive value and has implications for everything from production costs to sustainability. So, how much thought should go into choosing the right glass?

Three days, thousands of potential connections and one chance to make an impression. As South African producers prepare for Wine Paris 2027, Carolyn Martin, co-founder and marketing director of Creation Wines, shares what it takes to turn a trade exhibition into meaningful business. From choosing the right buyers to knowing which wines to pour, her advice is simple: arrive prepared, stay curious and remember that relationships matter more than business cards.

South Africa continues to make its mark on the global stage, taking two of the three World’s Best Rising Star spots, with Mullineux and Alheit Vineyards shortlisted alongside Spain’s Comando G. The Sadie Family Wines, Rising Star winner in 2023 and 2024, has also progressed to the Best Fine Wine Producer in the Rest of the World shortlist. The shortlist is voted for by an Academy of nearly 1,300 senior wine and spirits professionals, whose insights directly inform the full report (released during the awards weekend).

Three days in Paris can open doors to markets around the world. But the real work starts long before the exhibition. From finding the right buyers to preparing your stand and following up afterwards, here's how to make Wine Paris count.

Wine Paris has become one of the important dates on the global wine calendar. For South Africa, being there matters. But being there with a plan matters more.

Neethlingshof Estate has introduced its flagship red, TORS, marking its debut with a win at the Absa Cape Blend Top 6 Awards for its maiden 2024 vintage. Crafted as the estate’s pinnacle expression, TORS was developed for fine wine collectors seeking a micro-vinified Stellenbosch blend shaped by site specificity and low-intervention winemaking.

As the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair prepares for its 2026 edition, South African producers have an opportunity to assess a market that offers more than local wine sales. But does Hong Kong still hold the same promise as a gateway to Asia?

The wine industry in South Africa could benefit from a glass waste solution that can reduce costs and improve sustainability.

The UK’s thirst for bubbles is legendary, but while Prosecco dominates the volume and Champagne sits at the prestige peak, a "healthy middle" has emerged – and South Africa’s Cap Classique is perfectly positioned to claim it.