Chris Bryant

Doing my little bit for South African wine in the UK. Thoughts on wine, packaging, brands and the other things my wife's sick of listening to.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@mikeratcliffe Wines are only as valuable as what the market is willing to pay. End of. Wine producers may well be able to generate stable or better margins with a lower volume high price model, but that would need industry strategic consensus (no chance) and acceptance of large job losses.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@ChristianEedes @AngelaLloyd1 Surely a really good platters app is just a no-brainier? It’s the perfect content. I’ve heard the current version is not great?

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

But creating real ambassadors (NOT PAID INFLUENCERS) who do want to know more and who organically share your products with their friends will build you long term brand equity.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Don’t mistake wine education for wine marketing. It’s a minority of the wine buying public who really want to be ‘educated’ about wine in an attempt to convince them that they shouldn’t be buying what they like to drink.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@mikeratcliffe That's not to say we can 'market' our way or if the current situation. Nor that the challenge is unique to SA. If the Rand were stronger we may not be having quite the same discussion.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@mikeratcliffe Your tweet highlights a key problem "if you're in the wine industry". The industry knows. SA wine too inward- looking and focused on the very top end. Structurally flawed.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@timatkin @davidwineclarke @jamiegoode @mikeratcliffe @ChristianEedes @ChrisAlheit @visualviti @gregsherwoodmw @WOSA_ZA @CapeWine2018 @oldvineproject @nealmartin @WOSA_DE @WOSACanada @WOSA_UK @WOSA_USA @WOSADK @WOSA_NL @Vilafonte @michaelfridjhon @patcisco @AndreMorgenthal @Vinebug @ChrisLosh @capewinereview @andrewcatchpole @WineSearcher New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is like a ready-written case study on how lack of a sensible strategy screws the value proposition. From leading and sought after its gone to high volume and average in 10 years.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@timatkin @davidwineclarke @jamiegoode @mikeratcliffe @ChristianEedes @ChrisAlheit @visualviti @gregsherwoodmw @WOSA_ZA @CapeWine2018 @oldvineproject @nealmartin @WOSA_DE @WOSACanada @WOSA_UK @WOSA_USA @WOSADK @WOSA_NL @Vilafonte @michaelfridjhon @patcisco @AndreMorgenthal @Vinebug @ChrisLosh @capewinereview @andrewcatchpole @WineSearcher Availability of substitutes is so high. Broad wine market (above the very basic stuff) has little brand or country loyalty. So what incentive is there for the gatekeepers on the route to market? Tell Tesco you're not going to sell your wine to them unless they pay more. Good luck

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@timatkin @jamiegoode @davidwineclarke @mikeratcliffe @ChristianEedes @ChrisAlheit @visualviti @gregsherwoodmw @WOSA_ZA @CapeWine2018 @oldvineproject @nealmartin @WOSA_DE @WOSACanada @WOSA_UK @WOSA_USA @WOSADK @WOSA_NL @Vilafonte @michaelfridjhon @patcisco @AndreMorgenthal @Vinebug @ChrisLosh @capewinereview @andrewcatchpole @WineSearcher Push vs pull though. You need to create the market willing to pay more surely? The opportunity for 'build it and they will come' only applies to the very very pointy end of the market.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@Winemag @michaelfridjhon Please educate me, but regarding prices surely it's just simple economics? Too much wine. Outside of short term trend or fashion based spikes that disproportionately affect demand, higher availability means lower prices and vice versa. No?

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@gilescoren Not at all. I'm very liberal with my thank yous to be honest, probably dish em out too much. But I'll save you one, just to be sure.

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@gilescoren When you go through an intersection do you thank the cars that are waiting at the red lights?

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@jamieoliver loving #JamieCooksItaly but what's the story with your new hairstyle? A bit love island 😂

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

I wonder how much the life expectancy of the average Briton has improved with KFC having to shut branches due to chicken shortage? #KFCCrisis

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Refreshing to hear Eben Sadie openly state that Swartland vineyards are looking dire with the ongoing drought. Not trying to roll out the bullshit marketing spin. Going to be a seriously tough vintage.

#CapeTownwatercrisis #Swartland #wine #southafricanwine #ebensadie

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Starting to think of what wines to drink and share this Xmas. All South African this year. Any suggestions? £10 to £20 range...

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Do any wine writers expect general wine consumers to read their stuff? Or is the majority of content consumed by other writers, bloggers, agencies and producers? Is there any real influences outside of industry circle? @jamiegoode @Timatkin @ChristianEedes

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Great to see @laboriewines top of this list... https://t.co/C7PiwykCGX

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

@Se_Railway Key card didn't load ticket from machine at station this am. Status online says 'sending to station'. Any suggestions?

[Chris Bryant @WinetheGap]

Are we really going to have a flood if rosé themed posts for #womensday2017 Surely we past that cliché? #realmendrinkrose #sawine