The ABS today released data into the Australian wine industry for the month of May indicating domestic concerns for the Australian wine industry. As has been the case for the past few months, domestic sales exhibited a downward trend, though, on a more positive note, export sales experienced considerable growth on the April figures. The trend estimate for white table wine sales sales fell by 1.7% from last month, with the trend falling by .7% for red and rosé wine sales. Total trend estimates... ...Read more »
Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released details of two possible changes to the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code- regulations that govern the sale of food in Australia and New Zealand. FSANZ is inviting individuals or organisations with an interest in food matters to comment on applications from industry to change the definition of ‘wine-based beverage’ and to allow the use of an enzyme derived from a genetically modified source. Definition of ‘wine-based beverage’:... ...Read more »
Scientists have found that the compound resveratrol, found naturally in foods like grapes and nuts, slows age-related deterioration and functional decline of mice on a standard diet, but does not increase longevity when started at middle age. The findings, published July 3, 2008, in Cell Metabolism, may increase interest in resveratrol as a possible intervention for age-related declines, said NIA scientists. The authors emphasized, however, that their findings are based on research in mice, not in... ...Read more »
Once the poor relation, left on the sweet shop shelf, dark chocolate is steadily gaining notoriety as Britain buys into a new, healthier image. The latest research from MINTEL shows that sales in Britain almost doubled between 2005 and 2007, with sales hitting £85 million last year. Mathilde Dudouit, senior market analyst at MINTEL, believes that the consumer trend toward ‘good for you’ foods is driving growth in the category. “Although dark chocolate is still high in... ...Read more »
The high cost of fuel is wreaking havoc with some food and beverage industries worldwide, with demands for government aid increasing by the day. Winemakers in the south of France have vandalized supermarkets and burned two police cars in the southern city of Montpellier. The protest by vintners last week was in response to skyrocketing fuel costs and falling prices for regional wines. The thousands of protesters were seeking to draw the government’s attention to the plight of winemakers in... ...Read more »
Amcor has announced today that it will build a third glass furnace at its wine bottle plant in Gawler, South Australia.The new furnace, which is expected to cost $150 million, is due for completion during the first half of calendar 2010. Upon completion, the site will have three furnaces with an annual capacity of 600 million wine bottles. Amcor claim the new furnace is consistent with the approach in building the first two furnaces, as returns are to be underpinned by long term customer supply arrangements. Amcor’s... ...Read more »
Brewer Lion Nathan has bought American wine importer Cumulus Wine Inc. (CMI) - a subsidiary of the NSW-based Cumulus Group. Lion Nathan plan to use the purchase to establish a new wine platform for their premium Australian and New Zealand wine portfolio in the US market. Lion Nathan will utilise the business to sell both wines from the existing Cumulus portfolio including Rolling as well as wines from Lion Nathan’s New Zealand and Australian operations including Petaluma. Lion Nathan Wine Group... ...Read more »
South Australia’s wine makers and grape growers are the first industry group in the nation to sign an agreement to accurately track and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Premier Mike Rann signed the Sector Agreement on climate change at the London Wine Fair with Orlando’s Chief Winemaker, Philip Laffer, on behalf of the SA Wine Industry Association and Jim Caddy, Chairman of CCW Co-op Ltd, on behalf of the Wine Grape Council SA. Premier Rann claims this is an important... ...Read more »
A groundbreaking industry program, called GlassRite Wine, has enabled the UK to substantially cut their CO2 emissions within the wine industry. The project, funded by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme), has shown that bulk importing of wine into the UK and the use of lighter weight bottles can lead to major environmental and business benefits for the wine industry. The first phase of GlassRite Wine ran from Summer 2006 to March 2008, managed by British Glass, and involved an impressive... ...Read more »
Australian wine grape production is forecast to increase by 19 per cent to 1.67 million tonnes in 2007-08, as a result of improved growing conditions in key production areas, according to a new ABARE report - ‘Australian Wine Grape Production Projections to 2009-10′. “Forecast production in 2007-08 is higher than early-season estimates because of greater than expected resilience of vines suffering from drought stress, and water purchasing by growers in drought-affected... ...Read more »