Mike Veseth to speak at 2012 Nederburg Auction

Nederburg Auction 2012 keynote speaker, Mike Veseth.

With the state of the global economy crisis posing many challenges to the wine world and the South African wine industry in particular, this acclaimed US economics professor and "wine economist" will bring his considerable expertise to the speaker platform, tailoring his keynote address around the subject of how South Africa can win the Wine Wars.

He will discuss the market trends that are redrawing the world wine map and the terroirists (those focused on a wine's terroir or place of origin) who resist them. Veseth believes that wine businesses are at a critical crossroads, shaped by the powerful forces of globalisation, corporate branding and the exploration of new markets.

As a professor in international political economy at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, he is regarded as an authority on the political economy of globalisation and the global wine market, applying his mind to analyse and understand the complex dynamics of the international wine world.

Nederburg Auction Business Manager Dalene Steyn says, "While believing in preserving the essence and the soul of wine, he is also well-versed on breaking into new markets in China, Australia, France and the US. With this combination of a love for wine along with extensive business and economic acumen, we believe he will inspire and motivate wine lovers in South Africa - just as he has done elsewhere in the world."

This editor of The Wine Economist blog and author of more than a dozen books has won critical praise for his recent book 'Wine Wars: The Curse of the Blue Nun, the Miracle of Two Buck Chuck and the Revenge of the Terroirists' (2011), which draws remarkable conclusions on the market forces that drive the wine industry. The book has won several awards and prizes, including being selected as Best American Wine History Book 2011 by Gourmand International and a Wine Book of the Year by JancisRobinson.com.

For more information, go to www.nederburgauction.co.za.