Sparkling Monro Brut receives silver

Jeff Grier (winemaker) and Cathy Brewer (exports & sales director).

This follows shortly after Villiera received one of seven South African Golds at the International Wine Challenge 2008 for the 2007 Villiera Cellar Door Chenin Blanc. A silver medal was also awarded to the 2004 Monro, a Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon Blend.

This week also saw the Monro Brut achieving a score of 85 in the Cap Classique category of the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show and receiving another silver medal; while the Swiss Airline Awards pronounced it the Best Cap Classique and awarded a gold medal.

"It is really encouraging when our wines are acknowledged from an international perspective. It remains a challenge to keep our ranges current and appealing to both the local and international markets," says exports and sales director Cathy Brewer, who recently returned from attending the London International Wine Fair, which saw over 14000 visitors through the doors this year.

"It is definitely one of our key events as it provides a superb opportunity to meet with trade representatives, agents and leading importers and distributors from across Europe. It forms an essential part of our international marketing campaign as we get the chance to expose our wines, both from Villiera and our new French venture Domaine Grier, to a crucial audience. Our presence enables us to build relationships with new players and reconnect with existing contacts. Simultaneously, it also provides us with valuable feedback in terms of international wine consumption trends and specific varietal preferences. For example, Chenin Blanc is not an 'easy sell' in Italy, whilst they cannot get enough Gewurztraminer. The UK on the other hand is a great market for SA Chenin Blanc."

Villiera's Monro Brut is available at selected retail outlets nationally.