A New Dawn In The Wine World

 Nigeria alcoholic beverage (beer, wine and spirit) market is valued at $2 billion and has maintained an annual average growth of 6 per cent since 2007. Market share by alcohol type indicates beer as the market leader – 55% followed by spirits – 30% and Wine – 15% (Rondon & Nzeka 2012). Beer and spirits are beverages of wide usage with a long history of consumption and have since dominated the Nigerian alcohol market.

The popularity of wine in the alcoholic beverage market is growing in Nigeria,it is not clear whether the growth in the wine market is a result of the changes in the social demographics, taste or preference of consumers.

Nigeria is not a wine-producing country although a few small to medium scale producers exist. Historically, local wines such as burukutu and palm wine have been in existence for ages before the modern commercial production of wine. Commercial wine production started with the processing of non-grape locally grown fruits like pawpaw and pineapples. Wine from these fruits offers a wide range of products from non-alcoholic to 10-15% alcohol content to suit the desires of a variety of consumers (Jacobs Wines n.d.). Currently, the wines from the local wineries are not meeting the needs of the current consumers hence demands have shifted to foreign wine.

The adoption of wine consumption has grown but is still low compared to developed countries as wine is seen from an exclusive perspective as a drink for the elite group. However, there is growing consumer demand for wine in Nigeria, the growth rate superseding that experienced in other alcoholic drinks categories (Euromonitor 2014).

The growth pattern of the alcoholic beverage market suggests that the taste and preference of Nigerian consumers have changed to wine as a beverage drink of interest, especially for relaxation, at important functions and major celebrations. However, to meet these needs, consumers are reliant on the import of quality wines made from grapes from the main wine-producing countries.

According to a report by MayoClinic, Red wine in moderation has long been thought of as heart-healthy. The alcohol and certain substances in red wine called antioxidants may help prevent coronary artery disease, the condition that leads to heart attacks. Any links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood. Although, links between red wine and fewer heart attacks aren't completely understood. But part of the benefit might be that antioxidants in red wine may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol buildup.

Thus, there is need for quality and great taste, which makes the wine experience better and more enjoyable. In this regard, Santa Alba represents a new dawn in the wine world.

The Achurra Family in the past fifteen years has become a leading family-owned winery, becoming one of Chile's 12 fastest growing wineries with a volume of more than one million cases of wines production per year. Santiago Achurra, CEO and founder, pays particular attention to the quality of service, he has built up a close working relationship with the world's wine importers, thus promoted the growth of the winery.

Santiago also gives importance to the inheritance of the family's wine tradition loyal to the quality of the wines produced.

These wines come from the Curicó Valley of Chile, 200 kms from Santiago. This valley has an enormous capacity for variety; more than 30 grape varieties have grown since the mid-1800s and it has burgeoned since then into a prestigious region producing internationally recognized wines.

Santa Alba range of wines are made using the most modern techniques of viticulture and grape varieties indigenous and international to produce excellent wines for daily consumption worldwide, and has won major international awards.