Anthony Budd marks 40 years in travel retail as Diverse Flavours presents premium South African wines, Cape Diversity Gin and Japanese sake in Cannes.
My first visit to Cannes was in either 1986 or 1987, when I slept aboard the Long John International yacht. I remember it as though it were yesterday and thinking: what a brilliant industry!
That experience is ultimately why I founded DIVERSE FLAVOURS in 2009 with my wife Michiko. Before starting the company, I worked for Long John International, James Burrough, Allied Domecq and Pernod Ricard. Along the way, I had the opportunity to live and work in five countries across four continents – the UK, Canada, Japan, Korea and South Africa – while representing some truly remarkable brands.
Now based in Cape Town, my ambition is to introduce the exceptional wines and spirits of South Africa to the world and build enduring South African brands in duty-free and travel retail.
Our portfolio includes wines from across the many wine growing regions of the Western Cape: Avondale, Cederberg, Cape Point Vineyards, Delaire Graff, Deetlefs, Ernie Els, Ghost Corner, Groot Constantia, Napier, Survivor, 88 Vineyards, Stellenzicht, Neil Ellis and Cape Diversity Gin.
Given our Japanese connection we also develop premium Japanese Sake breweries in Travel retail, and our portfolio includes Sakuramasamune (Kobe), Kinshimasamune (Kyoto), and Koshitsukano (Niigata).
Please join us at stand K55 in the Green Village to celebrate my 40 years in the industry – and enjoy a glass or two of outstanding South African wine.
Feel free to contact me, Anthony Budd at: anthonybudd@diverseflavours.com
