Champagne BARON-FUENTÉ… & stopper

Now everyone loves Champagne! Not so? Or at least the luxury image and lifestyle associated with Champagne. Let’s toast to that… Chin! À votre santé!

Thanks to a very good friend of mine, Thierry BOUGIT, export director of a famous cellar in Alsace, I end my first busy day at ProWein 2012 in Düsseldorf toasting our reunion copiously. Seven years earlier we shared Crémant d’Alsace at their cave in Barr. Well, to be honest, as these get-togethers go, many toasts were called for. And every time when Thierry sees a friend passing by, he invites them

Pour avoir un verre de vin avec nous.

And being on the French Pavilion, Thierry knows a lot of people… So we end up chatting merrily until the lights fade and the guys gently direct us through quiet halls, opening a shutter door to let us out.

Here it’s dark and raining. I’ve got my full-length raincoat on and my red luggage case on wheels in my hand. You see, I’ve arrived very early this morning from Frankfurt with Lufthansa and went straight to the expo. Thierry, always the organizer and superb host, arranged a lift with a friend to his hotel. Thereafter we’ll all go for dinner at their favourite restaurant in the old town. Only then he’s going to take me to my hotel on the outskirts of the city to book in... He finally drops me off minutes before midnight after a raucous night on the town with a group of lively Frenchies.

Needless to say two days later with the show over, Thierry loads me with gifts of French wines and my favourite, Champagne BARON-FUENTÉ Grande Réserve Brut. This is going to be my special gift to my host in Warsaw. Now not having been to Europe since 2005 I’m unfamiliar with the new rules and put my treasured bottle in my hand luggage when checking in automatically at Düsseldorf airport. At customs I take off and take out whatever I think is necessary, happy that I’m early for the flight.

The official looks at my hand luggage and the scanner with the Champagne image, showing it to his colleagues and laughs merrily.

You’re going home after the expo?

he says in accented English. Fellow passengers stop to watch the show.

Yes, uhm... no, I’m visiting a client. That’s for him.

Ah, sorry monsieur, you can’t take fluids inside the cabin. Champagne! I can’t take this from you. You must go check it in.

Thank you very much.

I murmur in gratitude, hurrying back to the Lufthansa check-in counters.

The lady listens sympathetically to my story and responds with:

To check in a second bag will cost fifty Euros monsieur. Or else you can take it out and leave it here.

Thank you, but I can’t open the bag. The keys are in my case which is already checked in.

I’m starting to sweat now. She continues:

How much did you pay?

It was a gift, I have no idea.

Well it should be around ten to twenty Euros, maybe more. You really want to pay fifty Euros?

she asks politely. Seeing I’ve reached the end of negotiations I fumble in my pockets for my carefully conserved Euro notes. Her face filling with compassion she says softly:

No it’s fine monsieur, we’ll take the bag.

I freeze, staring at her in disbelief.

Really?!

She just smiles sweetly, printing out the ticket, attaching it to the bag. Ecstatic, I thank her profusely, and almost run back to the friendly officials at customs.

Come December 2013 an English gentleman from London is in the office to collect his winesave® can. Seeing the BARON-FUENTÉ Champagne stopper on the desk, he points to it.

I like that; can it seal normal wine bottles as well?

I’m sure it does.

testing it on an empty bottle. So why don’t you get yours too? Look on http://www.linkedin.com/company/fms-food-&-beverages-sa/baron-fuent-champagne-stopper-22642663/product?trk=biz_product

Hmm… perfect! Get me six please.

And definitely tell us if you want the real thing...

Well, you’ll have to make do with the Champagne and the painting. That’s by Luis DE LA FUENTÉ circa 1950.

No more wasting your precious wine!

Now you can literally recapture the moment because you’re able to save those unique characteristics of your favourite wine perfectly – for up to three months!

FMS imports and distributes winesave® exclusively in Southern Africa directly to cellar doors, hotels, restaurants, wine specialist shops, but private individuals may also order a single can. winesave® is an easy-application 100% argon gas can for keeping opened wine perfectly. Each large can contains at least 100 x 1-second applications. Exclusive agencies in African countries are also available.

Winesave protects opened wine by laying a 100% pure, inert and odourless gas called argon (which is 2½ times heavier than air) across the wine's surface in the bottle, thereby protecting its complex characteristics of colour and taste - winesave® simply work. The science which validates this claim is simple: argon is both inert and heavier than air, sealing wine off from oxygen. What is unique about winesave® is the packaging – it’s so simple to use, almost like a deodorant. winesave® LINKS:- www.youtube.com/recapture_the_ moment_winesave www.youtube.com/how_to_use_winesave www.linkedin.com/winesave www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za/news www.facebook.com/winesaveZA www.decanter.com/winesave

What the experts say of winesave®:- All the top critics in the wine industry support winesave, i.a. Robert Parker Jnr., Jancis Robinson, and Philippe GUIGAL. Moreover, it is used and approved in more than 40 countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, and Germany. All our current clients are happy with winesave® and re-order it regularly.

… there is a new and extremely simple product available that seems to be more effective than its predecessors for keeping wine fresh in an opened bottle. I have found it pretty good at preserving even delicate old red burgundy over a week.

Jancis Robinson OBE, Master of Wine, wine correspondent of the Financial Times.

At last an effective wine saver that really works! It just happens to be called "winesave ". I have been carrying out some tests with grand crus etc and because it is Argon and sits atop the wine I have had no problems with wines stored up to 10 days.

Greg Melick, Vigneron and International Wine Judge

I tried it on the most fragile wine in my portfolio – one that is always undrinkable the day after opening. I had a third of a bottle left over at 5pm, winesaved it then looked at it three or four days later and it was perfect. I want all my sales reps using it.

David Burkitt, Vintage & Vine

We have been using winesave® for a few months now and think it is great.

Mark Best, Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide's 2010 Chef of the Year Three-hatted Marque Restaurant

winesave® has absolutely revolutionized the way we serve wine in this restaurant. And it has totally eliminated waste for us. Wonderful.

Michelle Lynch, Lento, South Yarra, Australia.

Thank you for introducing us here at Village Roadshow to your wonderful product. With over 20 wines by the glass in our 9 locations wastage was one of our biggest issues… no longer since the introduction of winesave®. It has changed our world for the better!

Fab Nicolao, Director, Food & Beverage, Village Roadshow Cinemas, Australia

Distribution is by Globeflight couriers with delivery within two to five days. Please contact us at info@fms-wine-marketing.co.za to get yours and to ask for more information.

New Beginnings Wines at Prowein 2012, Düsseldorf, Germany from Sunday 4 March to Tuesday 6 March

Well, not quite New Beginnings wines itself, but at least you can meet with me, Anton Blignault, at the South African pavilion to discuss the new labels, new vintages….


To actually taste the exciting New Beginnings range we will need to send you a few bottles from Cape Town. Or you will have to order a case or three from our importers closest to you - in Japan (Masuda Inc. in Hyogo and Osaka), in Germany (Wein aus Südafrika in Frankfurt), and in Poland (Wine Shops Sp. z o.o. in Warsaw). The whole range is certified as sustainable and has achieved 3-star ratings in Platter’s South African Wines 2012, a “step up” from 2011, and this is just the beginning…


For the moment, we are proudly showing off our newly designed labels. It is phased in as we cross over to new vintages and introduce new cultivars, such as the much appreciated Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Shiraz 2009, and Pinotage Rosé 2010.


Please contact me in advance at fmsmarketing@yebo.co.za to set up a meeting at Prowein (I will attend as a trade visitor), and have a look on www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za for detailed information on each wine (via a link to Global Wine & Spirits), plus a full compliment of brands to extend your South African porfolio.


All the best,
Anton Blignault

FMS "Serving wine successfully for 11 years"
FMS is a producer, wine négociant and international trading house focusing on the export of wines at producer list price, from entry level to high-end. Thanks to our professional approach, all our clients choose FMS rather than dealing with the cellar. 4 sales in 4 months to 4 new clients thanks to GWS!

FMS Marketing
FMS Food & Beverages SA
Web: www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za
Blog: http://www.fms-sa.blogspot.com
E-mail: fms@yebo.co.za
Tel: + 27 21 426 5037
Fax: +27 21 413 0825
PO Box 51869
8002 Waterfront
CAPE TOWN SA

People are motivated by passion
& encouraged by empathy.

BIZOE scores again

Bizoe Wines’ first red release, the Estalét Syrah 2008, has followed the instant success of their maiden white blend Henriëtta 2008. Wine Spectator’s James Molesworth rewarded winemaker & owner Rikus Neethling’s Estalét Syrah 2008 an outstanding 91 points.

Neethling, who made 266 cases of the Syrah from Breedekloof fruit, is thrilled by the success of both his wines, “This is absolutely fantastic for me to get two big awards with both my first vintage wines.”

The Henriëtta 2008 received a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in London in 2009.

Winemaker's Note

The Syrah spent 15 months in new and second fill French and American barrels from five different coopers. The wine spent a further 3 months in bottle prior to being released.

Wine Specator's Notes

BIZOE SYRAH WESTERN CAPE ESTALÉT 2008 - Score: 91

Gorgeous plum and blackberry fruit aromas and flavors are held together by lilting notes of violet, black tea and anise. The long, iron-tinged finish really sails on nicely, with well-integrated, mouthwatering acidity. Drink now through 2011. Tasted twice, with consistent notes. 266 cases made. (Dec15, 2010)

BIZOE HENRIETTA 2010 and BIZOE ESTALÉT SYRAH 2009 are available from February 2011. View www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za for more information.

WINE, WOMEN & MOVIES encore

WINE, WOMEN & MOVIES encore

What if she said yes? No, that was not in the script. But there was no script!

Such were my thoughts when “In Search for a South African Husband” was shot. Wishful thinking though, because there may not have been a script but there certainly was a game plan and a few questions that she scribbled down before interviewing me. Yet, as a determined suitor so did I have a few surprises in store for her.

Now who is she you may ask? Let us stick with the short answer: a French girl called Anna stuck in South Africa and needing to marry within 48 hours or she will be thrown out of the country. And where do I fit in? Simple, I was just one of the hopeful guys - number 24 to be precise - who lined up as a potential husband. Finally, where does wine get into this story? Well, as I said there was no script and I had a few notes on a piece of paper…

Oh, I have some fond memories of our encounter and believe that I must have made a good-enough impression on Anna to at least get onto her shortlist. Who knows what would have happened if we had time for a glass of wine together? For the full story have a look on www.visaviemovie.com

To see the actual movie you will have to get a DVD, which is going to be whole lot more difficult than just clicking onto a website. Consider this as a quest - like searching for that special vintage from a renowned French Bordeaux, Burgundy or Champagne Château; or getting back into the good books of your lover…

Lastly just a warning, that interview may be very amusing but this is the only mention of wine in the entire movie!

FMS launches website!

11th November 2010: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa


PRESS RELEASE


FMS launches website: www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za

Serving wine successfully for 10 years...

To celebrate ten years in business, concentrating continuously on exporting wines, FMS is proud to showcase its own website. More importantly, the relationship with our current clients and cellars date back to 2001 and 2000 respectively, with sales growing from 100 cases to 10 pallets per order in 2010.

To expand at a faster pace the focus shifted in 2008 to obtaining new clients, with FMS registering on an e-business platform. This has proved very successful - four sales in four months in 2009 - 2010 to four new clients! Momentum has increased with new clients and a cellar being added recently in rapid succession.

This website puts FMS in the perfect position to not only increase visibility for itself, but also to assist our clients and suppliers – creating a small community who can draw on each other for support and advice. The website have links to all the brands in our portfolio where you have access to detailed data for each wine, i.e. tasting notes, awards, ratings, terroir, harvesting, winemaking, technical analyses, and pictures.

We thank our major clients for their steadfast support whose links are listed on our contacts page. We will add the names of a few more importers shortly and with the website being powered by Google Search Engine Optimisation this is bound to increase their visibility.

At FMS we believe in nurturing young talent. This has expressed itself in hosting an International Marketing Trainee from a French university every year since 2007. This website design, created by Octave CLAUZEL, is proof of such brilliant talent at work.


FMS Food & Beverages SA
Reg. No. 2002/026067/23
P.O. Box 51869 Waterfront 8002 Cape Town South Africa
Tel +27.21.426.50.37
Fax +27.21.413.08.25
E-mail fmsmarketing@yebo.co.za
Web www.fms-wine-marketing.co.za

FMS is 10!!

FMS is TEN years old!!

Today FMS is ten years in business, focusing continuously on exporting wines. In August we started our 3rd year membership with Global Wine & Spirits. More importantly, FMS still does business with all the clients (except one who closed down in 2009) and cellars that we started with all those years ago.

To expand at a faster pace the focus has shifted since 2008 to obtaining new clients, hence the GWS membership. Fortunately it has been successful - four sales in four months in 2009 to four new clients! Momentum has increased with new clients and cellars being added recently in rapid succession.

Thanks to Octave Clauzel a website has been designed and is being launched during November to commemorate this occasion. The website will be powered by Google Search Engine Optimisation. This puts FMS in the perfect position to not only increase visibility for itself, but also to assist our clients and suppliers – creating a small community who can draw on each other for support and advice. On the website we include links to Global Wine & Spirits for most brands in our GWS portfolio. In the Product Catalogue clients have access to detailed data for each wine, i.e. tasting notes, awards, bottle images, technical analyses, vineyards, harvesting, and wine-making. Links to those of our established clients will be listed on our contacts page.

Guess the correct name for our website and you may win six bottles of the top wines in our portfolio delivered to your doorstep!

We are eager to welcome you to join our exclusive club and are looking forward to your future support.

Join us now and raise a glass to FMS for the next ten years!!

Cheers! Chin! Santé! Gesondheid! Voorspoed! Gesundheit! Prost! Kenkō! Zdrowie!


FMS Marketing
FMS Food & Beverages SA

E-mail fmsmarketing@yebo.co.za
E-mail fms@yebo.co.za

Tel + 27 21 426 5037
Fax +27 21 413 0825

PO Box 51869
8002 Waterfront
CAPE TOWN
SOUTH AFRICA