Discovery

Traditionally, a large share of Portuguese wines have been drunk within the country. But over the past few years, exports have been on the increase. From attractive price points to native grape varieties and an extensive product range, the reasons for their popularity in the global marketplace are legion. And Portuguese companies have set their sights on securing a prime position for their wines overseas.

You may not have heard of Anora yet, but since 2021 the company has become the new leader in beverage alcohol across the Nordic countries. Specialising in the production, import, export and distribution of wines and spirits, it is on track to become a global sales powerhouse. Its rapid growth compels admiration, as do its innovative, high-performance initiatives including the creation of some mould-breaking brands.

It may well be overshadowed by Bordeaux in terms of reputation, but South-West France is just brimming with remarkable appellations offering unlimited flavour experiences. Still relatively under-the-radar, the appellations are very competitively priced and tick all the boxes for a broad consumer audience, both in France and overseas. We take a closer look…

Stellenbosch is the heartbeat of South African Cabernet Sauvignon, whose legacy has been nurtured here for over a century, rooted in soils as old as 600 million years. This storied region boasts a landscape sculpted by towering mountains and nuanced valleys where Cabernet Sauvignon has become inseparable from its identity. Furthering its international footprint, Stellenbosch Cabernet was founded as a collective, underscoring a decade-long journey of refining Cabernet Sauvignon and beckoning the curious Cabernet Sauvignon drinker to delve deeper.

One of its flagship lines may well be called ‘crazy bottle’ – aka Bocciamatta in Italian – but StraItalian Winemakers and its managing director Gaetano Peragine have their feet firmly on, and in, the ground.

Although some Spanish wine regions have traditionally produced rosés, there is no denying that the reputation of pink wines has never equalled that of the country’s reds or whites. But the winds of change are blowing, lifting the outlook for rosés. Increasingly, bodegas are embracing the huge potential for this style of wine, when it is crafted with care.