Out with Neusiedlersee-Hu¨gelland and Mittelburgenland, in with Ried, or single vineyard. These and other long-discussed amendments to Austrian wine names have at last been incorporated into official wine law. Appellations and quality designations have been a work in progress for many years, as I discussed last year in Austria wrestles with vineyard classification. (The map shows the work in progress in Kremstal and Kamptal to identify top vineyard sites.)
SINGAPORE — Wine lovers and exporters around the Pacific Rim will have reason to pop the cork after officials slashed red tape on shipments in the region that will ease an expensive bottleneck. The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group said in a statement that the 21 member economies had agreed on a standard, simplified certificate, replacing the multi-layered system that had led to losses of about US$1 billion a year in the industry.
Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Lawrence MacAulay today announced $400,000 to support a wine grape research program at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Kentville Research and Development Centre.
More than 80 members attended the Padthaway Grape Growers Association annual dinner on June 17. It was great to be back at the Limestone Coast Wine cellar door with the fires roaring and local Padthaway wine pouring. Everyone enjoyed a three course menu catered for by Finn’s Fine Foods, and enjoyed the local Padthaway wines.
Wine Australia’s commitment to help Riverland growers and wineries improve their businesses and their bottom line by reducing waste and improving efficiency is moving up a gear. A Lean Production for Growers and Wineries workshop will be held in Renmark at Angove Family Winemakers on Tuesday August 9. The principles and benefits of ‘lean production’ will be outlined along with ways of doing things to identify and help eliminate hidden, non-essential activities and production steps in the vineyard and the winery.
Two of New Zealand wine’s most prominent luxury players—Cloudy Bay and Loveblock—see openings to diversify the kiwi category by moving beyond the core Sauvignon Blanc varietal and secondary offering Pinot Noir—but they aren’t necessarily agreed on what comes next. Created by New Zealand industry veterans Kim and Erica Crawford following the 2003 sale of their Kim Crawford brand to Vincor (now part of Constellation), Loveblock launched in the U.S. in 2013.
Wolf Blass has been named ‘red winemaker of the year’ at last night’s 33rd International Wine Challenge in London. The South Australian based winery topped more than 15,000 entries from over 50 countries, demonstrating their strength and consistency of winemaking across wine styles. Chris Hatcher, Wolf Blass chief winemaker, said he was humbled to receive the award on for the third time on behalf of the winery following wins in 2008 and 2013.
Barossa’s wine grape growers are forging ahead with modern viticultural practices to prepare for the changing climate – highlighted with the first launch of a poignant six-part video series that demonstrates Barossa’s environmental best practices. The video series, entitledEnvironmental Champions of the Barossa is an initiative of the Barossa Grape & Wine Association (BGWA), which represents Barossa’s 550 independent grape growers and 170 wine brands.
The Canberra International Riesling Challenge (CIRC) 2016, will launch its 17th event today in Wellington New Zealand, as the first official event following the ACT Government signing a sister-city agreement between the two Capital Cities. Peter Woolcott, the Australian High Commissioner to New Zealand, will provide the venue for showcasing Rieslings from both countries through a unique Capital Cities Riesling Challenge.
Heather Webster from Langhorne Creek has been announced as the new chair of the Wine Grape Council of South Australia (WGCSA). WGCSA is a grower-funded organisation that seeks to represent SA’s over 3,000 independent wine grape growers. Webster has worked across a number of industries and brings extensive executive and director experience from roles within the wine industry as well as transport and science.