by Hervé Lalau
The South African wine producers who flew into Bordeaux Vinexpo to sell their current vintages are fuming. Their wines were impounded by French customs and will probably not make it to the show, which began last Sunday and lasts
until Thursday. Broschures, posters and point of sales materials reached the fair this afternoon, but no wine.
After problems with the air condition during the heat wave in 2003 and the mitigated success of Vinexpo in Chicago, South Africa has had a string of bad luck with the fair. Given the cost of the stands, flights and lost business, it will be a bitter disappointment for many.
Gallo had similar problems, but was able to bring in other wines from nearby markets. That was not possible for many of the South African producers who came here to find distribution.
