The Sydney International Wine Competition (SIWC) produced an illustrious list of medal winners, with diversity of wine regions and wine varieties key features of the event. The 36th annual competition featured 1812 wines from nine countries with 100 different grape varieties and blends represented. A total of 288 wines were then selected for TOP 1OO™, Blue Gold, and Gold awards, and 31 of these also received a trophy.
Nova Scotia will spend $1 million to nearly double grape growing in an effort to boost the province’s wine industry. “We’re putting in a small amount of public money to leverage a lot of private sector money,” said Premier Stephen McNeil, who announced the Vineyard Development and Expansion Program Tuesday at the Avondale Sky Winery in Newport Landing, N.S. The program will pay each grower up to $6,550 per acre to cover land clearing, tile drainage, plant material, stakes and contracted labour.
You don’t need me to tell you that canned wine is kind of hip. Chalk that up to a winning combination of novelty, extreme portability, and the kind of casual anti-snob vibe that appeals to young urbanites with disposable incomes these days. No real mystery that canned wine is hip, and we put everything in cans (Washington State University has been canning a very nice cheese since the 1940’s), so why is canned wine still a mystery to me?
The bill inspired by the legal battle between New York’s State Liquor Authority and Empire Wine has reached the Governor’s desk. Empire Wine’s ongoing case against the New York State Liquor Authority could become a lot more clear-cut this week as a bill limiting the authority’s jurisdiction is reviewed by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. The bill, A.5920, will “amend the alcoholic beverage control law, in relation to limiting the authority of the state liquor authority to penalize licensees based on perceived violations of the laws of other states.”
Winemakers and other local businesses have joined forces to agree a legally binding deal to protect the environment and biodiversity across the commune of Montalcino, home to one of Italy’s best known wines. Representatives from 47 Montalcino businesses – including Brunello di Montalcino winemakers – signed a legally binding charter, ‘Comitato Promotore Montalcino Bio’, promoting collective biodiversity and environmental responsibility.
Chemical drift from pesticide sprays is an ongoing problem in New Zealand, says Lincoln Agritech crop protection scientist Rory Roten. “When pesticides are used on farms and in forests, the wind can carry droplets of the sprays far away from the targeted area, potentially causing severe damage to neighbouring crops and harming the environment,” Mr Roten says. “Spray drift has wreaked havoc on wine grapes and kiwifruit in several New Zealand orchards recently.”
Grapegrowers are facing a multi-million dollar pay cut this year after the 2015 harvest came in under target. Interim grape prices, released by New Zealand Winegrowers, show grape growers have been paid an average of $1713 per tonne of grapes this year, compared with $1656 per tonne last year – an increase of $57 per tonne. However, with a 326,000-tonne vintage, it can be estimated that growers’ total income is about $296m – a pay cut of more than $89 million.
It appears the impact of spray drift on Hunter Valley vineyards is more widespread than first thought. Last week, grape growers near Denman revealed their plants are being harmed when the weed killer 2,4-D blows over their vineyards. Now a vigneron near Clarence Town has reported his grape crop has been all but destroyed by phenoxy herbicides. Ross Arnott said he does not know where the chemicals are coming from. “It’s coming in in plumes,” he said.
Three Karearea chicks are settling into their new home at Palliser Estate’s Clouston Vineyard in Martinborough. The trio were delivered to the vineyard on Thursday by Jane Lenting, who is behind the project, which hopes to establish the threatened species back into Wairarapa. More than 60 winemakers and interested community members gathered to welcome the New Zealand falcon chicks.
When was the last time you splashed out a few hundred dollars on a bottle of wine? New Zealanders are spending growing amounts on top-end bottles of wine for their cellars or tables, industry commentators say. Stephen White, owner and chief winemaker at Stonyridge, said his wines had been the highest-priced in the country for at least 25 years. Bottles sell for between $260 and $500.