CSIRO researchers have discovered a new method growers could use to control when their grapes ripen, without affecting wine quality. Grape berry ripening is occurring earlier and the harvest season is becoming shorter, possibly due to increases in atmospheric temperatures and CO2 levels. This is causing wineries considerable difficulty in accurately scheduling harvests to maximise the wine-making potential of some grape varieties. “We discovered that the application of certain plant-growth regulators... ...Read more »

The Labor Government today launched a new strategic plan to help protect and secure Victoria’s $1.3 billion wine industry from threats such as phylloxera.Speaking from Mount Langi Ghiran Vineyard near Ararat, Mr Helper said the viticulture industries, comprising the dried, table and winegrape industries were collectively the largest horticulture industry in the state. “The spread of grape phylloxera and exotic pests and diseases poses a serious threat to Victoria – and Australia’s... ...Read more »

Tipped as one of the fastest growing trends in Australian wine, demand for Australian organic and biodynamic wine continued to increase in 2009/10 despite the Australian wine industry facing one of the largest surpluses in history. As wine industry bodies declare the current crisis the worst in two decades, many organic and biodynamic wine producers have reported increasing sales in the past year and have received international acclaim from the world’s top wine critics and wine shows. Hart... ...Read more »

With speculation rife that beer and wine will be subjected to tax hikes in the upcoming budget, the Australian Winemakers Federation has expressed fears about the future for the sector. CEO Stephen Strachan said that tax increases would cause a substantial loss of jobs as the industry continues to struggle with a glut. “There is concern in the industry that the Government will move in the forthcoming Budget to increase the tax on wine, or to look at a change in the way wine is taxed,”... ...Read more »

The state of world viniculture in 2008 has recorded the first effects of the world economic crisis, with world wine consumption recording a drop of 2 Miohl in 2008 compared to 2007. The overall decrease is mainly due to a further decrease in consumption in traditional large producer and consumer European countries: France, Italy and Spain, in addition to Germany, the report from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) advised. World areas under vines have also posted a decrease of 28... ...Read more »

Just like works of art, wine is now being subjected to advanced testing to establish its authenticity. Nuclear scientists from the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNSR) in France have unveiled a new tool to detect fake vintage wines on behalf of London’s Antique Wine Company (a leading rare wine merchant). Ion beams are directed at the bottle to roughly determine how old they are and where they originated. According to the CNSR, the process is like checking the painter’s signature... ...Read more »

Victoria’s Regional and Rural Development Minister, Jacinta Allan, announced a $67,200 grant last week to help the Victorian Wine Industry Association to conduct research that will help the industry plan for future growth.”The Brumby Government is taking action to help Victoria’s food and wine industry continue to grow,” advised Ms Allan. “Victoria’s wine industry is a key contributor to the state’s economy with an annual turnover of about $1.3 billion and... ...Read more »

Constellation Brands, Inc., a leading international beverage alcohol producer and marketer, has announced that Constellation Wines Australia (formerly Hardy Wine Company) will sell certain assets and implement changes to its wine portfolio and production footprint. The changes are being made to “simplify the business and provide better focus on premium brands and operational efficiencies aimed at increasing long- term profitable growth and improved returns”. Constellation plan to sell... ...Read more »

Despite the difficult environment at both domestic and global levels, the Australian wine industry continues to expand. The challenge, according to a recently released report from the world’s leading food and agribusiness bank, is how to grow value as well as volume. According to the Rabobank report, the Australian wine industry needs to break away from its image as a supplier of inexpensive wines and begin to improve the average price per bottle in order to secure a sustainable future. Report... ...Read more »