Australian Wine News

Australian wine industry a shining light

2009-03-03T12:19:00.000+02:00

"Last year’s abolition of import duty on wine saw a 90 per cent increase in wine imports over 2007. While the global economic downturn has put pressure on Australian wine exports, China and Hong Kong continue to provide a silver lining, recording strong value growth. In the year ending January 2009, wine exports to China and Hong Kong increased by 34 per cent (up A$18 million) and 20 per cent (up A$6 million) respectively, according to the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

"Hong Kong is rapidly becoming a major Asian hub for the international wine industry, a role that will bring with it jobs and investment, and discussions are under way to further the collaboration on wine trade between Hong Kong and Australia.

"The Hong Kong Trade Development Council held its first international wine fair last August, attracting more than 240 international wine merchants from more than 25 countries, and over 40 Australian wineries were represented there."

2006 Inkberry Shiraz-Cabernet (Australia)

2009-02-22T20:55:00.001+02:00

With a name like Inkberry, I thought I knew exactly what the wine was going to be like. Instead I was surprised by the finesse of the wine. While I would hesitate to call it elegant, there is a brightness and freshness that I found appealing. Apparently the winery's vineyards are at an elevation of about 1,900 feet, giving the grapes an unusually cool environment. This allows the grapes to have a long, slow growing season, which keeps the sugars low and the alcohol in check. It also makes for small, intensely colored berries, which is why the wine is named Inkberry.

The choice of blending shiraz (syrah) and cabernet sauvignon is so Aussie. While the rest of the world tends to group varietals that grow in the same region (e.g. cabernet with merlot, or syrah with grenache), if a blend sounds good to an Aussie it will wind up in the bottle. They have taught everyone else how to think out of the box.

Australia's Wine List Awards Open

2009-02-09T11:12:00.001+02:00

Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards open for entries today (Feb 9) in a bid to seek out the leading wine and beverage lists from around the country.

Fine Wine Partners and Gourmet Traveller WINE have again combined to run the program, which is expected to draw more than 300 entries from restaurants, wine bars, clubs, pubs and international hotels.

Last year’s winner of Australia’s Best Wine List and the inaugural Judy Hirst Sommelier of the Year award, Lincoln Riley — sommelier at Melbourne’s Taxi Dining — will join the 2009 panel of Australian and international wine experts.

Chaired by Peter Forrestal, the panel will judge entries with one, two and three glasses — the highest ranking signifying their ability to compete with the world’s best.

Australia's wine exports have collapsed, falling for the first time in 15 years

2009-01-24T20:18:00.000+02:00

The industry said that as the global economic crisis took grip of key markets in 2008, Australia exported 11 per cent less wine by volume and 18 per cent less by value than a year earlier.

Australia's wine industry at a crisis crossroad

2009-01-20T14:28:00.000+02:00

MURRUMBATEMAN (Reuters) - From a picturesque hill overlooking the hazy distant foothills of Australia's eastern ranges, Bruce March can see a crisis facing the country's A$2.4 billion (£1.1 billion) wine export industry with crushing clarity.

March, chief winemaker at Doonkuna Winery, in prize cool climate vine country north of Canberra, had been looking forward to a bumper 2009 harvest, tripling production capacity last year in anticipation of rocketing China demand for his wine.

But the global financial crisis has exploded that interest, bringing with it a soul-searching for Australia's vignerons, ironically when good rains and a late summer are set to bring one of the best harvests for years.

Asian demand grows for Australian wine

2009-01-10T20:25:00.000+02:00

SYDNEY (AFP) — Asia had a thirst for Australian wine in 2008, with an industry report on Thursday naming China, Hong Kong and Japan among its top-five growth markets in an otherwise dismal year.

Low-yield harvests and a strong Australian dollar placed enormous pressure on the country's winegrowers last year, driving down the value of exports for the first time in 15 years, said the government's Wine and Brandy Corporation.

"Despite the challenges there were some highlights during the past 12 months, particularly in Asian markets," the corporation said in its annual report, released Thursday.

While the value of exports to Europe and North America declined -- sinking 17 percent and 25 percent respectively -- Asian exports grew eight percent, with the value of shipments almost double that of Europe.

Australian consumers start demanding more from winemakers

2008-12-18T20:32:00.000+02:00

Palate fatigue has set in throughout Australia. Randall Pollard of Randall's Wines and Spirits in Melbourne says consumers have started complaining of the "sameness" of domestic wines. "In the past, Australian winemakers aimed for consistency, and I suppose allied with that there is a sameness," Pollard said. The sentiment is forcing Australian winemakers to step up their games to compete with their rivals in Italy, France, Spain and New Zealand. Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), The (16 Dec.)

Cheap wine and too much growth

2008-12-14T15:03:00.000+02:00

First the good news: Australia's wine grape growers are looking at another big vintage, probably close to last year's 1.837 million tonnes, meaning consumers will continue to enjoy plentiful cheap wine - the glut continues.

And now the bad news: Australia's wine grape growers are looking at another big vintage, probably close to last year's 1.837 million tonnes, meaning our wine industry remains under stress, with vineyard values falling, plenty of smaller wineries going under and our biggest wine makers being steadily reduced to slave-status by the supermarket giants.

But wait, there's more: We're exporting less wine and doing it at lower prices. The mainstay UK market has turned particularly sour - supermarket gorilla Tesco almost makes Woolworths and Coles appear supplier-friendly.

Latest News 5 Filipino troops killed in clash with militants Penfolds recognised as Australia's best export wine

2008-12-08T09:26:00.000+02:00

Kym Schroeter, Penfolds Senior White Winemaker, reported that the climate in 2005 had been favourable for the Adelaide Hills region, helping produce high quality wine. "Vintage 2005 was a cool year and particularly suited the Adelaide Hills," he advised. "The wine is normally a multi-regional blend, sourcing the best parcels of fruit available. After a very strict culling of barriques, the resulting blend was exclusively Adelaide Hills, for the first time ever."

The trophy was established in memory of a former chairman of the AWBC, Mr George Mackey, who died in office in 1990.

The award is presented annually by the AWBC to the most outstanding export wine of the year. Initial nomination is made by AWBC wine inspectors, who set aside the best wines during the routine inspection of every exported Australian wine.

Europe Gets Protection in New Wine Accord With Australia

2008-12-05T15:22:00.000+02:00

The European Union and Australia sealed an agreement that safeguards wine production in the EU by establishing principles for the protection of regional names as the bloc faces growing competition from “New World” rivals.

The accord signed today in Brussels specifies when Australia will phase out terms such as Champagne, Port, Claret and Sherry, the European Commission said in a statement. It also outlines the conditions for Australia to continue to use certain quality wine terms such as “vintage,” “cream” and “tawny” to describe wines exported to Europe and sold domestically.

“Crucially, we have obtained protection for our geographical indications and traditional expressions, which was of the utmost importance for European producers,” said EU Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel.

Peter Lehmann Wines is IWSC Australian Wine Producer of the Year

2008-11-19T10:29:00.000+02:00

This is the third time Peter Lehmann Wines has been awarded this trophy, having also won in 2003 and 2006.

“To win the International Riesling Trophy for the sixth time as well as 2 Gold medals for Stonewell Shiraz and Futures Shiraz, highlights not only the quality but also the versatility of this spectacular winemaking district,” said Andrew Wigan, chief winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines.

Peter Lehmann Wines were awarded:

2 Trophies: Maersk Logistics Trophy for Australian Wine Producer - Peter Lehmann Wines

Aussies thirsty for NZ wines

2008-11-11T11:13:00.000+02:00

Recent figures show New Zealand's table wine, contributed to the biggest growth in wine sales across the Tasman.

They accounted for $219 million in off premise sales in the year ending July.

Nielsen spokesman Michael Walton says New Zealand is dominating the Australian wine market, saying after doing analysis of all the Australian wine regions, found that New Zealand had grown the most.

Walton says New Zealand wine increased its value share of the Aussie market by 3%.

Wine harvest up by a third

2008-10-30T13:03:00.000+02:00

A high Australian wine crush will see the sector's surplus continue, according to Winemakers Federation of Australia chief executive Stephen Strachan.

Australia’s wine crush grew by nearly a third in 2008 to 1,830,673 tonnes, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The figure was an increase of 433,323 tonnes on the 2006/2007 crush.

But Mr Strachan said the industry needed to downsize.

``We have been in surplus all this year, though not as extreme as up until 2006,’’ Mr Strachan said.

``We need adjustment in the industry…it’s starting to happen.’’

Australians map wine yeast code

2008-10-19T01:43:00.001+02:00

Australian wine researchers have become the first in the world to map the genetic code for wine yeast.

Researchers from the Australian Wine Research Institute started work on the code this year, after a four-year head start for their northern hemisphere counterparts.

The Institute's managing director, Professor Sakkie Pretorius, says the discovery means new strains of yeast can be developed without genetic engineering.

"To tailor-make your wine making process in such a way that you can shape your aroma profile, or the composition of your wine according to market specifications is absolutely critical, and that critical element in that process is the choice of yeast," he said.

Hanging with Australia's finest

2008-09-30T16:41:00.000+02:00

It's a good week when two of Australia's most talented winemakers are in town.

That was the case recently when Penfolds' Peter Gago and Yalumba's Jane Ferrari were in Calgary.

Gago is the chief winemaker for Penfolds, and a tireless ambassador for the winery. His knowledge and relaxed demeanour make him one of the most charismatic wine educators in the business. When he's not overseeing Penfolds' considerable array of wines, he's on the road conducting re-corking clinics and hosting Rewards of Patience tastings.

Wine giant cuts assets

2008-09-02T11:02:00.000+02:00

The restructure of its Australian operations announced by the world's largest beverage company Constellation Wine Australia could be just the start of a glut of wine industry assets on the market by the end of this year.

The company will be putting three of its winemaking facilities on the market, valued at about $200 million, rationalising its packaging operations, increasing prices, cutting its workforce and shedding about a third of the labels under its brand names.

At the same time, another beverage giant, Foster's Group, is also reviewing its Australian wine operations and there is speculation in the business media that the industry could be seeing a preview of the outcome.

CWA will be selling its winemaking facilities at Clare and Padthaway in South Australia, and Mount Barker in Western Australia, streamlining its product portfolio and adjusting fruit sourcing requirements to suit.

New pecking order for Aus wines

2008-08-13T12:41:00.000+02:00

The established order of Australian fine wine is now being challenged by a new wave of winemakers and estates intent on the pursuit of winemaking excellence, according to Wine Australia.

And to showcase the new rivalries, Wine Australia and Wine Focus are bringing together some of Australia's best wines under one roof for an exceptional tasting experience.

Respected wine writers Max Allen and Campbell Mattinson have selected a list of wines that exemplify the Landmark Australia values of excellence and authenticity.

Together, they have chosen 10 wines that are established icons, and matched them with current expressions that they believe are the emerging stars of the same variety or style.

These wines are the core of an event titled 'Landmark: Great Australian Wines – Past, Present and Future' and include classics such as Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Margaret River Chardonnay and emerging stars like Torbreck 'The Gask' Eden Valley Shiraz and Bindi Quartz Macedon Ranges Chardonnay.

How will global warming change Australian wine?

2008-07-04T20:12:00.000+02:00

This article discusses some of the ways that global warming effects wine production. Wine is a complex substance. A good wine is the result of an intricate process with many factors influencing the bouquet, the flavour, the longevity and the enjoyment of each bottle. That's why every wine is different; that's why we love the stuff. Vintages vary from year to year. Wines from different regions vary, even if made from the same grape varieties.

A major influence on wine quality is the temperature during few weeks before ripening. If it's too hot the grape makes lot's of sugar and no flavour compounds; too cold and there won't be enough sugar or flavouring compounds to make good wine.

Much of the quality of a wine depends on a group of substances called polyphenols, or phenolics. You'll hear wine buffs rabbiting on about them from time to time.

A south-west Western Australian wine bottling facility is looking to switch to nitrogen gas

2008-06-23T11:52:00.000+02:00

The Capel Vale Winery usually uses carbon dioxide to bottle wine for 100 WA wineries, but has been unable to source any CO2, because it is no longer being produced, due to the gas shortage.

The winery has now opted to use nitrogen gas which costs three times as much.

Site manager Keith Warrick says he is negotiating with his supplier, working out the logistics to get the nitrogen to the south-west.

"They have at least had somebody on site that's determined the appropriate location for the bulk vessel, the amount of engineering that's going to be required to get it up and running," he said.

Australian Bulk Wine Exports Plummet

2008-06-11T09:56:00.000+02:00

A thirty three percent decline in bulk wine shipments and 41 percent drop in tetra -pack shipments has led to a nine percent drop in the volume of Australian wine exports, reports Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

The volume of wine exports fell to 724 million litres in the 12 months to the end of May this year, the AWBC says, while the value of overall wine exports dropped seven per cent to $2.8 billion, in the same period.

Lawrie Stanford from the AWBC says while bulk shipments have declined, the rate of bottled shipments has also slowed in recent months as they grew only 1%, by 8 million litres.

Australian winemaker turns waste water into winning wines

2008-05-20T22:28:00.001+02:00

World-beating winemaker Michael Fragos sees his South Australian vineyards as the perfect spot to grow grapes -- the soil, climate and afternoon sea breeze are all ideal.

The only problem is the lack of water in one of the country's driest states, a hurdle that he and other McLaren Vale vignerons have overcome by using treated waste water to irrigate the deep green vines.

A visit to the area is testimony to the long-running drought and scorching Australian climate -- any land where vines are not growing is crackling dry.

THE soaring Australian dollar is costing major wine exporters millions of dollars

2008-05-06T11:25:00.000+02:00

While exports reached a record $3.02 billion last year, experts say a combination of drought, the high dollar and foreign competition means the industry now faces significant challenges.

Bottled wine exports are still growing but at a declining rate and experts believe the growth may stop within two months.

The rising dollar is particularly hitting the price-sensitive cheaper end of the market, as the buoyant Aussie dollar makes exports more expensive.

Shiraz makers shine

2008-04-23T17:35:00.000+02:00

Every year, the wine industry bible The Australian And New Zealand Wine Industry Directory reports a rise in the number of Australian wine producers, usually about 10 per cent. This year, the directory notes producers - not all have wineries- are up by 7.1 per cent. The total is 2299, an increase of 153 from last year, although there are many more than the directory lists: most weeks I look up someone new and fail to find them.

Exciting new producers are continually appearing, too many for we scribes to acknowledge. Many of their most impressive wines are shiraz, which is no surprise: it's Australia's signature grape. One-fifth of the samples I receive are shiraz, which is a bit frustrating as it doesn't give a balanced view of the market.

Last year, revenue from Australian wine exports reached $3 billion

2008-04-15T18:33:00.000+02:00

Australia is now the number one supplier of imported wines in the UK, Ireland, Singapore and New Zealand, and holds the number 2 spot in the US and Canada.

However, that success is now under threat as the industry faces two of its greatest challenges - a strong local currency and, crucially, a lack of cheap, abundant water.

The drought-stricken Murray-Darling basin supplies about 60% to 70% of Australia's wine grape production, and most growers are now operating on 16% of their water entitlements.

Interview with Australian wine expert Matt Skinnner

2008-04-10T22:51:00.002+02:00

Matt Skinner came to the public eye as Jamie Oliver's wine-loving sidekick, and over the past few years he has rubbed shoulders with a host of celebrities. Now, though, he has decided to head home to Australia. Has he had enough of the elitism in the UK wine trade? Absolutely not, he tells James Aufenast

Matt Skinner has been keeping himself busy since he moved back to his native Australia. As well as being Jamie Oliver's wine consultant, and overseeing the list at Jonathan Downey's Match Bar Group, he has been filming a new series for Australian TV, and has been around the world promoting and researching the latest edition of his book, The Juice.