Just because you only spend $13 on your prosecco doesn’t mean you don’t care about wine. A few decades ago, the only wines you could buy under $10 were Passion Pop and discount Spumante. Today, Aldi spruiks an award-winning rose for $4.99, Woolworths-owned Dan Murphy’s sells a shiraz for $2.99 and now Coles’ newcomer Liquor Market is going with the slogan “low cost and so much more”. What’s changed to allow an influx of cheap barn-style bottle shops?

Bryan Fry, the Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Australia, has told TheShout that the company’s plans to continue the strong support of the G.H Mumm brand will see a big push on rosé. Fry said that over the past seven years Pernod Ricard Australia has been investing strongly behind G.H Mumm and in that time the brand has seen 65 per cent growth. That growth has seen the brand move from number eight in Australia to number two with Fry adding “hopefully we’ll overtake the market leader some time very close in the future.”

South Australia’s wine industry is known for some of the best wines in the world and now we can celebrate its environmental achievements as well.South Australian-based wineries Pernod Ricard Winemakers, Wirra Wirra and Kay Brothers have all received awards from the SA Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) for their commitment to greater energy efficiency. Pernod Ricard has cut winery CO2 emissions by more than 8,500 tonnes per year (equivalent to the output of 1,800 passenger vehicles), Wirra Wirra has made big energy savings from its investment in an efficient refrigeration plant, while Kay Brothers now gets 70% of its energy from rooftop solar panels and has been a leader in introducing “lean production” strategies.

Consumers defy city’s retail woes to show strong appetite for wine and liquor, according to sellers at the city’s largest ever Wine and Dine Festival on Friday. The event, which popped open on Thursday and will end on Sunday, has seen Hongkongers flock to the Central harbourfront after knocking off work and ­exhibitors report steady growth in their business. Analysts say alcohol historically has held up well in weaker economic times, as gloomy employees keep drinking in the face of an uncertain outlook – though they might settle for cheaper brands and drink at home instead of while dining out.

While everyone loves Sauvignon, other varieties are eclipsing the perennial star of New Zealand’s show. There is a quiet revolution going on in New Zealand wine and, for once, Sauvignon Blanc is not at the center of the story. The announcement of the gold-medal winners for the Air New Zealand Wine Awards, the country’s top wine competition, proved that, as far as quality is concerned, Pinot Noir rules the roost. Despite making up a little more than 8 percent of the country’s plantings, Pinot Noir accounted for 17 out of 91 gold medals awarded, with Sauvignon Blanc second with 14 golds and Chardonnay picking up 13.

Trophy winning wines from this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards will be the focus of two workshops for Sydney and Melbourne wine trade next month. Hosted by Chair of Judges and Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich, guests will be among the first in Australia to sample the winning wines from each category. Following three days of judging, 91 gold medals were awarded across a number of varieties and regions with the ‘best of the best’ elite gold and trophy winning wines revealed at a black tie dinner in Auckland on 12 November.

The price of wine grapes in Australia is improving after some years in the doldrums, thanks to China’s growing demand for imported wine. Agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank says grape prices, especially for red grapes in premium growing regions, have rebounded from their low point in 2011.
The lower Australian dollar and relatively constrained production of grapes in Australia and overseas have also helped lift prices.

Wine Australia has released a new online tool to help winegrape growers determine the rootstocks that will best suit their vineyard, based on the most recent research. The Grapevine Rootstock Selector brings together knowledge from Australian and international research about the specific characteristics of different rootstocks into one independent resource for the Australian grape and wine community. Wine Australia general manager research, development and extension Dr Liz Waters said the Grapevine Rootstock Selector is a free tool that helps to share the insights gained from rootstock research in a simple format.

Hugh Hamilton Wines have topped the annual McLaren Vale Cellar Door of the Year awards on October 26th, taking out two awards. They have been awarded the top gong Cellar Door of the Year award and an individual recognition was awarded to Sabine Delago, one of their team members. Sabine Delago was announced as one of four Cellar Door Stars of the Region. Sabine has been a part of the Hugh Hamilton team for over 8 years and is known for her warm welcome, her genuine wine knowledge and her passion for McLaren Vale and the wider Fleurieu region.

The 2016 Pier One Sydney Harbour NSW Wine Awards has just announced the main Trophy winners for this year’s Awards and yet again the results have excited judges, industry professional and wine lovers alike. 2016 Chair of Judges PJ Charteris commented on how the overall medal count was up again this year and said, “The most exciting thing was seeing the diversity in region and variety. NSW winemakers are having a red-hot crack at producing high quality wines from old and new varietals and this is a tribute to the passion and strength of the NSW wine industry.”