The SA Wine Industry: Some Good News

Posted by Brandon Marc

October 10, 2008

On average, the quality of wine stewards in South Africa have been continually criticized for their lack of knowledge and insight with regards to the South African wine industry. I think everyone has had their own experience of poor service in one way or another… warm wine, old wine, overly chilled red wine, overly filled glasses or just the lack of basic wine related knowledge and etiquette… these are just some of the more common pet peeves experienced by customers.

Not only does this give the restaurant/wine cellar/wine bar a bad name, but it also reflects poorly on the wine industry itself. And ironically, it is my opinion that the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the South African wine industry. Wine stewards, or sommeliers, should be empowered by the South African wine industry to be the proud and conversant face of the industry. After all, these people are ultimately responsible for the marketing and selling of South African wines.

But what about the good news you might ask?

Project Laduma! A training programme launched by the South African wine industry that will provide more than 2000 people with specialized wine steward training in the run up to the much anticipated 2010 Soccer World Cup.

The aim of this skills development initiative is to support job creation and transfer marketable skills within South Africa. To add to this, the project will help market South African wines to international consumers, enhancing South Africa’s wine export ‘image’.

I believe that it is initiatives like these that will strengthen the South African wine industry, promoting South African wines and ultimately allowing the industry to realize the potential it deserves.

Cheers!