Wine critic Robert Parker has admitted that sometimes he finds his own influence “scary”, referring to himself as “just the messenger”, reports The Drinks Business. Speaking to Liv-ex, Parker said of his potential to impact on the market: “I don’t have any hidden agendas and I try and be as fair as possible to both the producer and consumer when I taste the wine. But I do know the impact my scores can have, particularly in Bordeaux. It’s scary sometimes; no one should have that kind of influence. It’s also a double-edged sword. It creates a lot of criticism of me when in fact I’m just the messenger.”

The first London tasting of 2011 right bank wines has confirmed oenologist Denis Dubourdieu’s comments that the vintage is as varied as the bizarre weather patterns that produced it. In his annual report the renowned consultant talks about the ‘unpredictable consequences’ of the incredibly hot spring, cool July, rainy August and Indian summer. Winners this year are Merlot-based wines on clay and limestone soils, Cabernet Sauvignon on gravel and clay-gravel, the Botrytised sweet wines of Sauternes and Barsac, and the whites of Pessac, reports Decanter.

Brown Brothers released three award-winning wines from its Patricia range on St Patrick’s Day on the weekend, a significant date for the family-owned wine company. The Patricia range of wines was launched in 2003 as a tribute to Brown Brothers’ much-loved matriarch, Patricia Brown – who celebrated her birthday on St Patrick’s Day – in recognition of her love and passion for the business, reports The Shout.

Wildlife volunteers say 23 kangaroos used as a tourist drawcard at award-winning Jacob’s Creek winery were found in what they believed was a malnourished state – so apparently neglected that some were in “shocking” pain from untreated injuries. Jacob’s Creek, owned by French company Orlando Wines, is one of Australia’s best-known international brands. Its tourist centre in the Barossa Valley this month won the Australian Tourism Award for best tourism winery and best restaurants and catering services, reports News.com.au.

Since 58% of shoppers are willing to trade up on wine, but only 11% do, Pernod Ricard is stepping up its premium push. That’s according to research of 2,500 consumers carried out by PRUK – almost 60% said they were willing to spend more than £7 on a bottle. Deputy managing director Simon Thomas said that move to premium was spurred on given light wine is in decline – volume fell 2.3% in the last year – so that “a new and accessible source of value growth is required”, reports Harpers Wine & Spirit.

A Chinese wine was launched yesterday in Beijing for 900 yuan ($142) per bottle. Some already consider that price outrageously high, others woefully low. If the price sticks, this could mark the emergence of Chinese wine into the realm of fine, high-price wines, which are predominantly French, writes Jim Boyce in The Wall Street Journal.

Italian wines are really hot today. Italy became the world’s biggest wine producing country in 2010, surpassing longtime world leader France. Meanwhile, Italian wine imports to important markets like the U.S., Britain and China have risen dramatically in the last several years. This is due in no small part to the fact that Italian wines from many regions are good values. It also reflects the popularity of Italian cuisine around the world. The most widely grown grape in Italy, comprising about 10% of the vineyard area, is Sangiovese, writes Richard Jennings in the Huffington Post.

Bordeaux Chateau Brane Cantenac is using Carmenere in its Grand Vin for the first time, the result of climate change, owner Henri Lurton said. Although almost never used in Bordeaux, Carmenere is a sixth variety allowed under appellation rules. It was widely-planted in the Medoc in the 19th century, and regarded as a mainstay of claret, but it is difficult to ripen and prone to disease and its popularity waned, reports Decanter.

It was all hands on deck this week, as Gladstone High School began the massive task of harvesting their grapes for vintage. The school operates a vineyard under its agricultural program, and chemistry students are able to put their skills to the test with the actual winemaking. This year’s quality is looking outstanding, something agricultural teacher Dean Humphries is quite proud of. Across the three acres, the school collects one tonne of grapes to make their own Shiraz, and five tonnes goes to Taylor’s Wines in Clare, reports The Flinders News.

Adverse weather conditions, bulk wine sales, volatile exchange rates, a lack of confidence in government policy and the vagaries of fruit supply and demand are all dealing blows to an already fragile industry, according to the latest Markhams wine industry business confidence survey. Whilst many wineries remain “carefully optimistic” about the year ahead, nationally the poor weather conditions have impacted on fruit volumes, with lower yields expected, particularly in Marlborough, reports Voxy News.