The South African Wine and Spirit Board (WSB) made amendments to its wine regulations last month following extensive lobbying from the Swartland Independent group of winemakers. WSB certification sets the quality standard for all wines being exported from the country, as well as providing comprehensive data on a wine’s origin, content and age through its Wine of Origin scheme. The regulatory amendments include the introduction of six new classes of wine.

Constellation Brands, Inc. and its employees have joined together to donate $100,000 to the American Red Cross, which is providing disaster relief to the people and communities impacted by the recent wildfires in Northern California. The company offered a two-to-one match on all employee donations made to the American Red Cross from September 15 – 25. “This collaborative effort shows how committed our employees are to giving back to their communities.”

Ningxia has launched its second international winemaking competition with significantly increased number of participants. With more local wineries involved, this young region is set to absorb more hands-on know-hows from its international peers. Launched by the wine authorities of Ningxia Helan Mountain East, the second edition of Ningxia Winemakers Challenge will see 48 winemakers from 18 countries, including Argentina, Australia, South Africa and Italy.

Not content with freaking us all out with black burger buns for Halloween, Burger King has now launched Whopper Wine – with the strapline: ‘fire is what we do best’. Which doesn’t really make any sense, but then none of this really makes sense. The red wine has been launched in Spain to celebrate 40 years of serving burgers to the country’s senors and senoritas.

Mark Robertson has been keeping a close eye on the Hawke’s Bay wine industry since he left the region. The Australian-based winemaker has a close connection with the Bay. And now the former Raureka Primary School student is a judge for the oldest regional wine competition in New Zealand – the Hawke’s Bay A&P Bayleys Wine Awards. He spoke at a sponsors’ function at Black Barn Vineyards last night after completing two days of judging.

Sauvignon Blanc producers from around the world will gather in Marlborough in February next year for the inaugural International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration. The event, organised by New Zealand Winegrowers, is the first of its kind in New Zealand and is set to become a fixture on the wine calendar. The celebration will provide an opportunity for the wine industry to host producers and experts from seven countries, including Australia, South Africa, Chile, France, Italy, the United States and Austria.

The IWSC has announced its 2015 varietal wine trophy winners, following seven months of judging wines from more than 30 countries. A total of 24 trophies have been awarded, with wines from the Southern Hemisphere faring particularly well. Both South Africa and Australia received four trophies each. urning toward Australia, which was awarded a total of 50 gold medals this year, House of Arras’ EJ Carr Late Disgorged 2002 was awarded the Bottle Fermented Sparkling Trophy.

Young winemakers say they are still optimistic about the future of their industry despite difficult conditions faced by Australia’s wine sector. A senate inquiry hearing last week heard evidence of the economic woes faced by growers and wine producers, with an oversupply of grapes among key factors driving the industry’s downturn. Stuart Horden, from Brokenwood Wines in the Hunter Valley, is among a group of young winemakers taking part in a future leaders program in South Australia’s Riverland region this week.

The quality improvements that concrete fermenters and tanks can bring to wine and the potential pitfalls inherent in their use is explored in the just-released September-October issue of the Wine & Viticulture Journal. Tackling the subject is the Journal’s regular contributor Cathy Howard, who recalls her first encounters with concrete tanks during her early winemaking career when open-topped versions were used extensively throughout the Australia wine industry.