Winemakers looking to stay updated on the dynamic No- & Low-alcohol wine market can delve into the latest insights at the Sauvignon Blanc South Africa Technical Seminar, set to take place on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. This event, presented in collaboration with platinum partner EVER Solutions and Top 10 title partner FNB, will be hosted at the picturesque Allée Bleue in Franschhoek.
Distinguished experts from both South Africa and Italy will be on hand to share their valuable perspectives on the local and global wine industry. The comprehensive program for the day includes the following highlights:
- RJ Botha, the Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA, will commence the event by discussing the association’s initiatives, followed by its Annual General Meeting.
- Emanuele Bartolucci, the Export Manager of EVER srl in Italy, will delve into the world of wine stabilization solutions and the art of achieving balance in lower-alcohol wines.
- Paolo Capra, the Commercial Director of EVER srl in Italy, will provide insights into the use of fumaric acid in winemaking.
- Dr. Carien Coetzee of Basic Wine will present various options for the production of low-alcohol wines.
- Gustav Fouché, the Managing Director of BevZero in South Africa, will explore topics ranging from alcohol taxation to the fundamentals and technology of de-alcoholization.
- Two informative wine tastings will be conducted, with a focus on fumaric acid and lower alcohol. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to partake in an informal tasting of the 2023 FNB Sauvignon Blanc SA Top 20 finalists.
According to RJ Botha, the Chairperson of Sauvignon Blanc SA, this annual seminar is an absolute necessity for winemakers as it provides a platform to stay in the loop about international trends and cutting-edge techniques, inspiring them to embrace innovation.
Botha commented, “The global expansion of the no- and low-alcohol wine market is being driven by shifting consumer preferences, government regulations, and advancements in technology. This year, we’re focusing on a lower-alcohol workshop, as there is still much to learn in order to navigate key market challenges effectively, including taste, pricing, packaging formats, and product availability.”
To secure your spot at this vital event, pre-registration is mandatory by Friday, November 17, 2023, via the official website: https://sauvignonblanc.com/technical/. Registration fees are set at R1,000.00 for members and R1,200.00 for non-members, covering tea, coffee, lunch, and the wine tastings. The program will commence at 07:40 for an 08:15 start and will conclude at 14:00 at Allée Bleue in Simondium, near Franschhoek.