Australian Wine Industry News

04/07/2008: Trebbiano fans hang in there
In Australia, Trebbiano is a relatively minor variety and is used in the production of brandy, fortified wines or blended with other white varieties, and only rarely does it feature as a single varietal wine.

04/07/2008: Farmers look to Government for signal to store carbon in soils
The Climate Institute have urged the Federal Government to send a strong signal on 'carbon farming' ensuring Australia’s agricultural sector can plan towards the economic benefits of improved soil management.

03/07/2008: Call for Riverina Food and Wine Showcase
Minister for Regional Development, Tony Kelly, has announced that the Riverina Regional Development Board is calling for expressions of interest from local producers who want their products to be considered for a food and wine showcase in Sydney later this year.

03/07/2008: Winetitles publishes 36th edition of Annual Technical Issue
The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker has published its 36th edition of the prestigious, Annual Technical Issue.

02/07/2008: The Gold Book – Australian wine vintages is in new hands
The Gold Book, Australia’s first consumer reference book has had its first change in authorship in 29 years with Rob Geddes MW formerly of Wine Stream taking over from Robin Bradley for the 2009 edition.

02/07/2008: Australia Goes for Gold in China – this time in wine!
With only five weeks until the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Australia’s leading family winemaker, Taylors of Clare Valley, has already grabbed the first handful of Chinese gold with their Taylors Jaraman Shiraz 2005 winning the Trophy for The Best Red Wine of the Show at the Shanghai International Wine Challenge.

02/07/2008: ‘Port in a Storm’ – clarification to story in The Age
An article in yesterday’s Age Epicure food and wine supplement ‘Port in a Storm’ provides a very good account, with one exception, of the current situation relating to an agreement with the EC on the future use of a number names currently used to describe Australian fortified wines.

02/07/2008: McLaren Vale fosters judging talent
The 2008 Winegrapes Australia McLaren Vale Wine Show and the McLaren Vale Grape, Wine and Tourism Association are launching the inaugural Wayne Thomas Scholarship for aspiring wine judges.

01/07/2008: Capel Vale Wines joins the Fine Wine Partners portfolio
Capel Vale Wines and Fine Wine Partners are delighted to announce a new national distribution agreement which takes effect today, 1 July 2008.

01/07/2008: Centenary of Rutherglen Durif 1908-2008
It’s unusual for a grape variety to be ‘owned’ by a single wine region, but that hasn’t stopped wine lovers who regard the red grape Durif as being Rutherglen’s own.

17/06/2008: Entries open for 2009 Sydney International Wine Competition
Entries are open for the 2009 Sydney International Wine Competition, to be judged from 13-17 October, 2008.

17/06/2008: Call for Entries for Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Awards
The Hyatt Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Awards is celebrating its 22nd year and is inviting South Australian winemakers to get involved in this unique wine competition.

06/06/2008: The Great Australian Red competition
Tyson Stelzer and Matthew Jukes are pleased to announce that entries are now open for The Great Australian Red 2008.

03/06/2008: Entries now open for Canberra International Riesling Challenge
Entries are now open for this year’s Canberra International Riesling Challenge, to be held from 14 to 18 October, at the Hyatt Hotel Canberra.

28/04/2008: Share your story for a chance to win prizes
Tell us in 100 words or less what you believe has been a key finding, development or invention in the Australian wine industry in the past 45 years for a chance to win a pair of Pellenc LiXion shears (Retail value $2490 + GST) and Grapegrower & Winemaker lifetime subscription.

European Wine Industry News

26/06/2008: Xavier de Eizaguirre is new President of Vinexpo
Earlier this month, Xavier de Eizaguirre was appointed as President of Vinexpo Bordeaux, the international wine and spirits exhibition, during a meeting of the Supervisory Board of the company.

11/06/2008: Enter in the world of the best Muscats
The 8th annual Muscats du Monde® competition will take place on 18-19 July, 2008 in Frontignan-la-Peyrade, France.

10/06/2008: Big brands blaze trail to Netherlands
While European markets are generally, just ticking along, The Netherlands has been growing at a much faster rate.

Events

02/07/2008: World Food Exchange comes to South Australia
The inaugural World Food Exchange is a unique, must-attend event coming to South Australia in September - and you can be part of it.

02/07/2008: Engineering association tours New Zealand
An opportunity exists for Australian wine industry representatives to tour through New Zealand’s wine regions to participate in informative discussions and network with New Zealand colleagues, from 14-20 September 2008.

01/07/2008: Bird in Hand qualifies for Wimbledon, again
Strawberries and cream will be served at Bird in Hand’s Adelaide Hills Cellar Door as they celebrate Wimbledon fortnight.

24/06/2008: Southern Tasmanian Vineyards launches its second White Wine Weekend
Over 50 white wines from 20 southern Tasmanian vineyards will again be the feature of the Southern Tasmanian Vineyards White Wine Weekend in Hobart on 20-21 September 2008.

23/06/2008: Cellar staff to enhance service skills
Western Australia, Grampians, Hunter Valley and Rutherglen cellar door staff and managers are being given the opportunity to enhance their wine tourism service and sales skills over coming weeks through the following workshops.

08/05/2008: Uncorking opportunities for Australian wine producers in Hong Kong and China
For Australian wine producers looking to tap into the lucrative wine industry in Hong Kong and China the Hong Kong SAR’s announcement of the abolition of wine duty and the launch of the inaugural Hong Kong International Wine Fair presents fruitful opportunities.

18/03/2008: 21st century grape research: challenges and opportunities
Springtime in Adelaide, South Australia, just one of many reasons to attend the Eighth International Symposium on Grapevine Physiology and Biotechnology in November 2008.

New Zealand Wine Industry News

24/06/2008: Trophies mean big business for Central Otago winery
Winning five major international trophies in four weeks was a welcome surprise for Central Otago’s Wild Earth Wines. The immediate rush of orders totalling over NZ$1.5 million (retail value) from around the world was even better news.

19/06/2008: Wild Earth Wines awarded for its Pinot Noir
Wild Earth Wines, a Central Otago winemaker, has been awarded the Trophy for Top International Pinot Noir at the International Wine Challenge in London.

16/06/2008: New Zealand harvest up 39%
The 2008 New Zealand grape harvest will help the wine industry meet strong export demand and produce a vintage of high quality, New Zealand Winegrowers announced.

06/06/2008: Dates confirmed for Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration 2009
The seventh Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration will be held on the 30-31 January 2009 in Queenstown, New Zealand.

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United States Wine Industry News

24/06/2008: Premiere Napa Valley auction earns US$22m
The Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) annual barrel auction, Premiere Napa Valley (PNV), brought record earnings of more than US$22m in the event held earlier this year.

24/06/2008: Grape prices seen moving up
California grapegrowers, generally speaking, have been navigating in a tough climate for the last few years, with low spot market prices for grapes and lackluster demand. Through the first few months of 2008, however, California prices have been firming up a bit, especially in Lodi and the Central Valley.

18/06/2008: US wine exports reach US$951m in 2007
United States wine exports, 95% from California, reached a record high of US$951m in 2007, an 8.6% jump from the previous year. Volume shipments in 2007 increased 12% from 2006 to reach 453m litres.

12/06/2008: Snooth names advisory board
Snooth, the world’s most comprehensive wine review site, has announced the formation of its advisory board comprised of leading names in the wine industry.