On the 13th of August 2008 Simonsig Winery Co-owner and Chief Winemaker, Johan Malan and Marketing&Sales Director, Ross Hobbs arrived in Samara and Toliyatti to present South African wines and get acquainted with wine distribution in the region.

In the middle of July 2008 Russia was again visited by Jose Miguel Viu, owner of the cult Chilean winery — Viu Manent. This time, besides huge cities, Jose Miguel managed to visit the world's deepest and clearest lake Baikal.

Which is South Africa's best winery? This is one of the questions that Wine magazine attempts to answer in an annual reader's poll which poses 19 other tough ponderables such as whether the best closure is cork, screwcap or something else, or which wineland restaurant is best.