by Joel B. Payne

"Is Eastern Europe the new El Dorado?"

For over a generation it was a rare French, Italian or Spanish producer who eyed the countries of Eastern Europe as potential markets. Consumers there, it was generally thought, were not only locked behind the Iron Curtain, but also primarily vodka drinkers. Few remember...

by Joel B. Payne

"It is no longer possible to ignore what goes on beyond our borders".

Much as in politics, it is no longer possible for those of us in the wine business to ignore what goes on beyond our borders. Over the last decade the process of consolidation and globalization has led to wine companies in New Zealand reporting to a head office in Paris,...