NZ Launch of Lovewine, Social Networking Site

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In the age of consumer generated media, www.lovewine.co.nz is New Zealand’s first social network dedicated to celebrating New Zealand wine, travel and lifestyle. http://www.lovewine.co.nz is the online destination for women who want to discover and explore wine on their own terms.

It is the first of a series of regional specific social networking sites planned under the lovewine brand. www.lovewine.co.nz focuses on New Zealand Wine, with satellite Australian website www.lovewine.com.au set to launch 2010. The global proposition www.lovewine.com will launch 2011.

The brand was conceived by co- owners and founders, Lisa Byrnes Whiting, Colin Proebstel & John Madden, “over a few bottles of wine” added Lisa. “We recognised that there was an opportunity to provide an emotionally engaging experience for the wine consumer, specifically women.” comments Lisa.
There are limited online resources dedicated to meeting the needs of the rapidly growing, influential female wine consumer market and studies have found that there is a higher concentration of super-tasters among women: 35% of women as opposed to 15% of men, and some argue that women have a more natural ability to evaluate wine than men do.

“When you consider that approximately 80% of global wine communication is driven by men and in terms of wine purchasing the split is more like 50/50, and women as the general household shopper, are increasingly becoming the more influential wine purchaser, there is an imbalance that needs adjusting” commented Byrnes Whiting. “Women engage with brands in a very different way to men, furthermore they are the driving force behind the growth of social networking globally. You also cannot overlook the impact women globally are having from within the wine industry,” she added. “Part of lovewine’s mission is to celebrate and support these inspirational women,” commented Lisa.

Global market research in the wine industry has shown that women account for the largest percentage of “confused wine consumers” and have been led to believe wine is a complex decision, and are often left frustrated, confused and as a result unengaged. Lovewine seeks to change that and open up a world of wine discovery for women globally and an opportunity for wine companies to interact with the lovewine community through a social networking platform which presents wine in an emotionally engaging way.

The combination of these factors was the catalyst for the development of the lovewine brand. The website provides easy to follow, no-nonsense, fun information on wine and wine related lifestyle products and services in a language that relates to their life and lifestyle. www.lovewine.co.nz has a fresh design, specifically created with emphasis on wine moments and experiences. Through online conversations and interaction, the community is informed regarding all things New Zealand wine and has the opportunity to make recommendations on wines they love.

The lovewine community website features forums and blogs. It also includes lifestyle related articles presented in a way that is fresh, inviting, non-traditional and emotionally inspiring. In the near future, the community will be able to engage in wine tastings on and offline and purchase wine online. The website also provides a comprehensive listing of New Zealand wine and food related events and New Zealand wineries. There is no fee to become a member of lovewine.

Lovewine Ltd is giving away a case of wine EVERY DAY for the month of October in a special promotion called 31 days of lovewine. Open to all New Zealand residents aged 18 or over, you must be a lovewine member and be posting comments on the lovewine forum to be in with a chance to win the case of wine for that day! To date lovewine has given away twelve cases of wine ranging in value from $200 to $450 and there are still some to come valued in excess of $700. Full details at http://www.lovewine.co.nz

Lovewine Ltd promotes drinking responsibly and would like to advise men that if you love wine with life, you are welcome too!

See what some of the lovewine members are saying about us:

Blacknaf “I totally agree with cowboy. I have only just in the last few days discovered this site, but I am enjoying the link to all the wineries around the country. LoveWine could be a really valuable tool for bringing wine producers and wine lovers together - a central point for information and ideas! Good luck and keep up the good work!” Lovewine is a registered trademark in New Zealand and Australia.

Merv “I agree. I have become a member of Lovewine only a week or so ago, but can't help but sneak a peek most nights when I am working on the computer. I liked the article on hosting a wine tasting - some good tips, as well as some feedback on the forum from some of the wineries, and suggestions. The link to the wineries has also inspired me to possibly shell out a few more bucks than the usual $9.95 at the supermarket, to buy some higher quality wines. Keep up the good work Lovewine, and I look forward to expanding my wine horizons. “

Alimor “I agree with Corker. The production, tasting, drinking and reviewing of wine in NZ has gone through a period of intense "snobbery", of which reviewers have been guilty of perpetuating as long as they can - to their own advantage. When we stop taking into account reviews written by people who have been deluged with free wine for donkey's years, and start discussing it at grassroots level, we will finally know what's what and what we like.”

Jeny69 “thanks for this site - it is quite inspirational to me who is just someone who sticks with what she knows - really I am still a pretty new convert to SB, and starting to try some Pinot Gris just for variety. What is similar in fruitiness to SB but stronger (heavier?) taste?”

Kiwimel “Well, my first successful dessert wine purchase was thoroughly enjoyable and I'd definitely go back for more. What a fantastic website this is. After posting just one question and reading through all the recommendations, I already feel more confident standing in the once-daunting wine section! Even thanks for all the replies everyone.”
To view latest forums posts, please visit http://www.lovewine.co.nz .

http://www.lovewine.co.nz is part of the Flossie Media Group of Publishers

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