... a giant winery based in California creating one of France's recent export successes and an Australian brewer calling the shots in the Napa Valley. Welcome to the first issue of Wine Business International, the first truly global, English language publication for the international wine industry.

At the distribution level, the trade is more finely balanced than ever: demand in Britain, a strong Japanese yen or a boycott in Russia can have previously unimagined implications for the Dutch, Brazilian or Australian consumer. But an importer in Singapore, a supermarket buyer in New Delhi or a retailer in Toronto does not necessarily need to know that the Connaught in London has a new sommelier, that Constellation has appointed a new wholesaler for Mondavi in Virginia or that Taylor's has hired a new sales manager. Instead, it is becoming more and more essential for all of us to know who are the successful players in each individual market, understand the background to their success - through whom, at what price point and why – and have an understanding of both local and global trends.

Our perception of a region of production varies enormously from market to market. Our understanding of brands and how they function globally is often biased by our read of that brand's position in our own domestic market; but do they all offer the same image, the same price point and, yes, even the same product, in all global markets?

With highly experienced, well-respected eyes and ears based locally across the globe, we shall continue to keep you abreast of the important developments and trends in the worldwide wine market, not only in print, but also digitally through our website at www.wine-business-international.com and our weekly email newsletter. There will be nothing that you need not know and, we trust, everything that you do. Please let me know what you think at joel.b.payne@wine-business-international.com