(With thanks to Michael Olivier and Nosh! news)This biennial 4-day exhibition will be held from March 30 to April 2 and involves the majority of the country’s wine producers, making it the biggest event of its kind in the history of the country. It is being hosted by Wines of South Africa (WOSA), the organisation mandated by the industry to grow the country’s wine exports. From garagistes to boutique wineries, the major corporations, co-operatives and negoçiants, there will be some 330 producers participating in Cape Wine 2004, showing some 4 000 wines. The purpose of the event is to spotlight the growth, innovation and advance of South Africa as a wine-producing country. The first two days, March 30 and 31, will target international wine buyers and sommeliers, and the last two days, April 1 and 2, local trade and consumers. Several hundred trade and delegates from the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong and India will attend. South Africa’s most prominent winemakers will be rubbing shoulders with top international wine critics, travel and lifestyle journalists reporting for some of the world’s most famous glossy magazines and newspapers, as well as buyers from multi-national retail chains, sommeliers and specialist collectors. One of the highlights coinciding with Cape Wine 2004, also open to the local public, is Celebration of Cape Cuisine at the Castle of Good Hope. Twenty top Cape chefs, such as Peter Goffe-Wood, Graeme Shapiro, Margot Janse and Eric Bingo will each prepare a sample-size signature dish, accompanied by a local wine. Tickets to the event, on the night of April 1, will entitle visitors to indulge in all 20 combinations.Booking for Cape Wine 2004, entitling visitors to attend for two days, at R200 a head and for Celebration of Cape Cuisine at R300, can be made online at www.capewine2004.co.za or by contacting Cape Wine’s office on +27 (0) 21 886-4496. Issued by: Michael Olivier, Nosh!news Email: noshnews@iafrica.com