ZURICH (Reuters) – Germany’s Bayer has advised wine grape growers not to use its Moon Privilege fungicide until its CropScience arm has investigated whether there is a connection between the product’s use and reported crop damage. Growers have reported deformed leaves and lower yields from their crops this year. Referring to “atypical symptoms” in vines where Moon Privilege — known as Luna Privilege in some markets — had been deployed in 2014.

Multi-award winning Tasman winemaker Daniel Schwarzenbach of Blackenbrook Vineyard has scored another impressive industry accolade by winning a gold medal and the trophy for Best Gewürztraminer at the prestigious annual Bragato Wine Awards held in Napier on 27 August. This is the fifth ‘best wine in class’ award at a national competition for the family owned and run vineyard and it cements Blackenbrook’s reputation for producing outstanding aromatic wines.

A visit to an emerging winemaking province in China could pave the way to a sister city relationship with the region, the Marlborough mayor says. A group of six wine industry leaders and a Marlborough District Council representative left Marlborough for Ningxia, China on Saturday. The group will attend a wine conference in the region and be hosted by the Ningxia Wine Bureau, which is meeting the cost of accommodation and transport in China.

BERESFORD Estate will open later this month to offer a premium event and accommodation venue in McLaren Flat following a “multi-million” investment. The winery, owned by the Bickford’s Group, has also undergone major works over the past year to build a new tasting pavilion on its Ingoldby Rd site. Bickford’s Group marketing manager Chris Illman said the company was excited to soon offer a base for its wine tastings and an event option.

Tourism Australia has released figures showing that one dollar in every five now spent by international visitors in Australia is on food and wine. Since December 2013, Australia has seen a 12.6 per cent increase (an additional $531 million) in tourism dollars spent on food and wine. The increased figures have hit the campaign target for the Restaurant Australia campaign of which Wine Australia is a supporting partner.

Gen Y is the most studied demographic in history. It’s a unique generation not just as individuals, but also as consumers. They are the first group of people to have grown up with, and captured the power of the internet and technologies such as smartphones and social media. With this in mind, Love & Wine directors Brian and Evan Mitchell made a conscious effort to study what Gen Y looks for and needs from a brand when creating YOU Wines.

The wine industry came together in Adelaide on Friday, August 28, to discuss the urgency for industry reform and agreed on next steps for how representative organisations can contribute to a return to profitability. More than 40 wine industry leaders from across Australia met at Grape & Wine 2015, an initiative that was established after a meeting of state and national chairs of various wine organisations held in November 2014. Grape and Wine 15 included representatives from all states and many regional associations, growers, winemakers and service providers.

Chile is “only just scratching the surface” with Syrah, suggests former Penfolds Grange winemaker John Duval, as he outlined some potential routes forward for the country with this variety.
While Chile’s main calling card, especially at the top end, remains Cabernet Sauvignon – the backbone of Duval’s Enclave project with Ventisquero and a flagship explored in September’s issue of the drinks business – Duval confessed that his main passion lay elsewhere.

The New Zealand Wine Intermediate Certificate was launched in Shanghai last week, giving Chinese wine consumers the chance to learn about New Zealand’s diverse wine styles.
The education program was developed by New Zealand Winegrowers and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise in response to a growing demand for information about New Zealand wine from consumers across China.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Nelson/Marlborough sales manager Joe Blakiston said the market appeared ready to take off. He said larger Marlborough wine companies were seeking land for development and investors from beyond the region were also paying close attention.