French vintners feel heat as leaders seek carbon consensus

French vintners feel heat as leaders seek carbon consensus

France’s wine industry faces a major shake-up over the next 3½ decades as the impacts of a warming atmosphere force changes to traditions that have lasted generations. Already the grape harvest, which was once in late September, is routinely brought forward. In Bordeaux, the harvest has gone from the end of September to the end of August at times as farmers battle increasing levels of ¬alcohol in the grapes caused by heat. Champagne grapes are regularly being harvested two weeks earlier compared to 20 years ago.

World experienced sommelier joins Craggy Range

One of the country’s most experienced sommeliers has been appointed customer experience manager at Craggy Range Winery in Hawke’s Bay. Advanced sommelier Michael Bancks is working towards becoming New Zealand’s second only Master Sommelier and returns to Craggy Range after three years in France. Formerly manager of Craggy Range’s Terrôir Restaurant for six years from 2004, Bancks was awarded the title of Sommelier of the Year at the Culinary Fair in 2008 while in that role.

Central Otago’s fruit and wine productivity threatened

An extra 600 beds are needed to keep up with predicted labour demand within the horticulture and viticulture industries in Central Otago, a new labour market report says. The Central Otago Labour Market Survey was released on Monday and highlights labour issues facing the horticulture and viticulture industries in the region. Accommodation provision was one of the biggest issues to resolve, with the report predicting labour demand to grow with an additional 600 beds required by 2018/19. The report also highlights a lack of suitably trained staff.

As volume continues to slide, Aus wine sees premium progress in US

While New Zealand wine continues to thrive in the US, Australia has seen little let-up in its U.S. struggles. However, the ailing category is seeing a silver lining in the premium tier. Plagued in recent years by both oversupply issues and a rising domestic currency, Australian shipments to the U.S. slipped nine per cent to just over 17.8 million cases in 2014. But much like top imported wine player Italy, the category has benefited from trading-up trends, with declines skewing heavily toward Australia’s low-end and bulk segments and higher-end wines demonstrating gains.

All grain, no grape in Margaret River

The first Single Malt Whisky distilled in the Margaret River Wine Region has been released by The Grove Experience distillery. A fine way for The Grove to celebrate 20 years in the region. A special limited 90 bottle release distilled by The Grove’s artisan distiller James Reed who has mastered the craft of distilling spirits by travelling the world to gain knowledge and experience for his passion in creating fine top shelf spirits.

Pernod and Treasury agree on tax reform

Australia’s two leading winemakers, Pernod Ricard (PRW) and Treasury Wine Estates (TWE), have put forward their case for wine tax reform to the Federal Government. Yesterday, the pair urged the government to change to a system that they say will restore growth and will secure a more sustainable future for the industry. Submissions to the government as part of its discussion paper on tax reform have now closed.

Industry cool on SA bid to become a Great Wine Capital

The Weatherill Government wants to formalise South Australia as a Great Wine Capital, but the industry isn’t convinced. The Great Wine Capitals scheme is a network of international cities which, according to the group’s website, “share a key economic and cultural asset: their internationally renowned wine regions”. Rodney Harrex, chief executive of the SA Tourism Commission, confirmed in a Budget and Finance Committee hearing last week that SATC and the Department of Primary Industries were spearheading a push to enrol SA in the group.

Tasmanian wineries urged to offer greater experiences at cellar door

Tasmanian wineries are being told to take risks and enhance and diversify their cellar door operations. State grape and wine industry peak body Wine Tasmania said too many producers were playing it safe, and missing out on a significant opportunity to attract more customers and boost their profits. Cellar door experiences – where a winery sells its products direct to the public – was a key topic at Wine Tasmania’s annual conference in Launceston.

Majestic Wine hopes to get its fizz back

Majestic Wine’s new boss will give an early indication of how he plans to put some fizz back into the business when he presents the retailer’s annual results this week. Rowan Gormley joined the group, which has 15 Scottish sites, after it bought online rival Naked Wines, a company he had founded and run since 2008, for up to £70 million.

Villa Maria’s new chief winemaker

Hawke’s Bay winemaker Nick Picone has been appointed chief winemaker for the Villa Maria Group, with chief executive Sir George Fistonich describing the 37-year-old as a “shining star” of the New Zealand wine industry. Picone said he was proud to take on the role and agreed it was a long way from when he started pursuing a grape and wine certificate at the EIT back in 1996 – where after one month he knew he wanted to be a winemaker rather than a viticulturist.
“It’s a bit daunting but it is really exciting,” he said. “I’ve been with Villa Maria for 18 years and with the experience I had in the regions I’ve worked in, and knowing the great teams of people we have, I realised I was in a position to accept the responsibility.”

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