An unusually wet January has proved challenging for wine grape growers in the New South Wales Hunter Valley, who are now well and truly into the annual grape harvest or vintage. Rain has the potential to split fruit and ruin its flavour. It is also critical the fruit be picked at the right time which is no mean feat when the vineyard is full of mud.
Diageo GB saw sales rise 3% in the in the six months to 31 December, marking thirty months of continuous growth, it revealed today during its interim results. Andrew Cowan, country director for Diageo Great Britain, said the growth was down to its continued focus on four key strategic areas: maintaining the momentum behind Guinness, growing the Reserve business, excellent execution of the premium core portfolio, and developing strong innovation.
Crisp consumer favourite: Sauvignon Blanc, will be paired alongside a gourmet selection of New Zealand produce at the up-coming International Sauvignon Blanc Celebration in Marlborough. The sold-out event runs from February 1-3, and has attracted over 350 guests, from 18 countries, who will have the opportunity to taste through over 400 Sauvignon Blanc wines, from 8 different countries.
It is “disappointing” that some companies within the Marlborough wine industry continue to use non-compliant contracting businesses, a Labour Inspectorate spokesman says. The comments follow a Blenheim woman’s claims that 13 workers were left more than $10,000 out of pocket after an agreement with a contractor fell through. Some of the workers were struggling to pay for food and rent after a contractor defaulted on a payment for 50.5 hours of work in January, the woman said.
Australia changed the way we drink way back in the Nineties, when its golden Chardonnay and life-affirmingly lusty Shiraz brought wine hedonism to our sun-starved shores. But, like maiden aunts constantly surprised that the niece we remember as a toddler smearing chocolate cake over her face is now managing the national debt, we’re still reluctant to allow that it has grown up.
Adelaide Hills biodynamic wine pioneers Erinn and Janet Klein aim to produce wines that reflect the terroir of their Ngeringa vineyards, with an emphasis on simplicity and sustainability. The pair met while studying at Adelaide University – Erinn in oenology and Janet in viticulture.
Americans can have misconceptions about Riesling. Some believe that this varietal is only ever sweet. Drinkers who do not like sweetness may never try and enjoy a dry Riesling. Reversing this misconception takes consumer education. Australian winemaker Hunter Smith was in America this week, showcasing the dry Rieslings from his family’s Frankland Estate Wines. Founded in 1988 by Smith’s parents, Frankland Estate is in southwest Australia, four hours south of Perth.
The investment and development arm of the Costa family, the country’s biggest growers of fresh fruit and vegetables, has acquired the Littore Wine Group’s Jindalee Estate Winery in the Moorabool Valley near Geelong. The 23-hectare Ballan Road winery was acquired by Costa Asset Management (CAM) from receivers Ferriers Hodgson. The family-run Littore Wine Group, one of the country’s biggest independent wine producers, was forced into receivership by Rabobank in October last year.
NSW Riverina winemaker Casella Family Brands has snapped up the Howcroft Estate Vineyards near South Australia’s Limestone Coast in the first big vineyards deal of the year. Family-run Casella, one of the country’s biggest wine producers with brands including Yellow Tail, Peter Lehmann Wines and Brands Laira, is understood to have paid just over the $9 million asking price for the 540 hectare property near Mundulla, which has 412 hectares of planted vines.