The much-anticipated El Niño winter has brought some precipitation to parched California and begun to replenish the vital Sierra Nevada snowpack. But according to experts including the National Weather Service in Sacramento, a single “normal year” will not redeem the state from the ravages of a four-year drought.
Gisborne will play host to some of the world’s top writers and influencers at New Zealand’s first Chardonnay and Sparkling wine symposium this February. Past, Present and Beyond… the Tale of New Zealand Chardonnay and Sparkling runs from February 4-5, and follows Marlborough’s inaugural International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration (February 1-3).
Central Otago winery Felton Road has been prohibited from selling its Bannockburn Riesling in Europe because it falls below the 8.5% ABV limit set by the European Union. Felton Road’s 2015 Bannockburn Riesling has an alcohol limit of 8.44%, slightly below the minimum level set by the EU for still wines. As a result, the winery will not be able to sell any of the Riesling – Felton Road’s second best-selling white wine – in Europe, Felton Road’s owner Nigel Greening confirmed.
Sustained rainfall in the period from veraison to harvest can put vines under significant threat of disease. This can leave growers and vineyard managers with some difficult decisions to make. In some cases the usual control options of spraying, slashing or trimming may not be viable or may be of limited value and some crop loss may be inevitable. This eBulletin outlines a selection of points to consider when making vineyard management decisions after late season rain.
Grapegrowers in the New South Wales Upper Hunter appear to be reaping the benefits of Australia’s free trade agreement with Japan, a year after the deal was finalised. Bottled wine sales are up by 11 per cent, whiles sales of bulk wine have almost tripled to more than $5 million to Japan. NSW Nationals Senator John Williams said it was welcome news in the Hunter, amid an ongoing mining downturn.
THE Costa Group has decided to sell its 360 hectare table grape property at Menindee in New South Wales and split it up into seven separate titles. Elders Real Estate Mildura principal Marty Deacon said he believed the decision to sell the property could be related to an increase in table grape production in other parts of Australia.
Mastermind Consulting have launched a social media campaign calling for wine lovers to open a special bottle of wine on 27 February to mark the first official Open That Bottle Night in Australia.
Since its inception in 2000, Open That Bottle Night has become an acclaimed global event, held annually on the last Saturday of February. Australia’s participation in this initiative has been intermittent, but the team behind Mastermind Consulting believes now is the time to salute the special bottles of wine held captive in cellars or cupboards.
THE value of Australian wine exports surged 14 per cent to $2.1 billion in 2015, reaching its highest value since October 2007. In a statement released today, South Australian Senator Anne Ruston said Wine Australia’s 2015 Export Report showed for the first time in over two decades, the value of Australian wine exports has grown in each of our nation’s top fifteen export markets.
Discount supermarket Aldi has launched an online wine shop in the UK, including both its in-store range and internet exclusives, as it seeks to be more competitive in the wine retail sector. The Aldi online wine store launched today (19 January), with the retailer offering home delivery for the first time to UK shoppers. More than 90 wines will be available online and customers will be able to choose a case of six wines or order a ready-mixed case from a selection of regions.
The country’s wine list is growing. We’ve added a number of new grape varieties to the national vineyard over the past 10 years. That’s no bad thing. There are, after all, around 10,000 of them out there, 1000 of which are known to have been made into wine somewhere in the world. Loosening our embrace with the international pacesetters (Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, et al) has been gradual, because growing new things is a risky business.