No Pinotage at Vinexpo

There is no South African Pinotage on show at this years Vinexpo in Bordeaux, France. That is because there is no South African wine at the international wine trade show which started on 17 June and is due to run till Thursday.

French customs impounded the South African consignment. And although they released it yesterday (Monday) instead of going to Bordeaux, its being trucked to Antwerp across the border in Belgium to get fresh paperwork.

Trade paper Harpers reports a WOSA representative telling France 24 “This is a disaster. The cost of attending the show this year was almost US$300,000 (£151,139) , taking into account the cost of the stand, accommodation for 45 people, flights, and the cost of sending the wine samples. What is not possible however is to estimate the lost business."

The reasons for the wines being impounded are still unclear.