Oenophiles sometimes disparage ordinary consumers for unimaginative wine purchases, but the wine trade, as a whole, is far more conservative, even young sommeliers who consider themselves open-minded. Once somms and wine buyers get an image of a wine in their head, even if it’s not true anymore, it’s really hard to change. Australia has probably suffered more from U.S. trade perception than any other country.
The strategic review of the WA wine industry undertaken in 2013-14 identified industry representational structure and adequately funded representation as critical to the future success of our industry. The resulting industry stakeholder endorsed strategic plan provided a template for industry representational structure that is unified, focused, lean and influential. The strategic review process also confirmed that industry supported the investigation of a secure funding model for industry representation and development.
China is a very big place. And very big places that go through an evolutionary period of intense development and subsequent demand for things fine and sophisticated can become very big markets. Put simply, China is now believed to be among the top five wine-consuming countries in the world.
New Zealand wine makers and grape growers have shown strong support to continue funding their industry body, New Zealand Winegrowers. Eighty-seven percent of the organisation’s 700 winery members and 90 percent of its 850 growers have voted in favour of keeping the grape levy. New Zealand Winegrowers collects levies from member funding, on the sale of wine by the Wine Institute, and on the sale of grapes collected by the Grape Growers Council.
A new, free phone app developed by University of Adelaide researchers will help grapegrowers and viticulturists manage their vines by giving a quick measure of vine canopy size and density. The iPad and iPhone app uses the devices’ camera and GPS capability to calculate the size and density of the vine canopy and its location in the vineyard. The aim is to help users monitor their vines and manage the required balance between vegetative growth and fruit production.
PRODUCING quality organic crops at home is as simple as composting and mulching regularly, according to award-winning organic wine producer Sam Statham. He shared this advice at a community seminar on organic living at the Whitsunday Sailing Club on Thursday morning. He spoke alongside representatives from Eco Barge and Whitsunday Residents Against Dumping (WRAD).
The ACT’s peak business advocacy body has welcomed the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, saying it could help the city’s services sector and region’s agribusinesses tap into opened-up international markets. Reductions in tariffs for wine, beef and dairy were the most obvious agribusiness opportunities for those in the region. Shaw Vineyard Estate owner Graeme Shaw said he understood the trade deal would reduce red tape and should increase awareness of Australian produce. “Anything that minimises red tape and makes export easier, I’m all for it.”
AUSTRALIA’S fruit and vegetable growers are still waiting to find out how much they will be charged for export certification and biosecurity service as the Federal Government ¬delays implementation of the new scheme. The Government has moved the start date from November 1 to December 1 this year. However, the final cost-recovery implementation statements for biosecurity and export certification fees and charges are still to be released.
Portavin celebrates continued growth and greater products and service offerings with the launch of an impressive new website at www.portavin.com.au. The company, which has become Australia’s leading wine bottling and packaging specialists, developed the new site as an informative resource for wine producers to easily access information on all aspects of bottling, packaging and distributing wine both domestically and internationally.
Watershed Premium Wines is pleased to announce that is now offering contract winemaking services in Margaret River. To make enquiries for the 2016 vintage please contact Watershed’s Head Winemaker, Severine Logan on (08) 9758 8633 or by email: severine@watershedwines.com.au