The Wine & Viticulture Journal has been named one of three finalists for Best Wine Publication (technical, trade or consumer) in the 2016 Wine Communicator Awards. Now in its fourth year, the Wine Communicator Awards recognise outstanding contributions to, and excellence in, wine communication in all its forms and is presented by Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA). The Wine & Viticulture Journal has previously been represented in the awards, with long-time contributor Richard Smart winning Best Trade or Technical Wine Writer last year, with regular writer and winemaker Cathy Howard presented the same award in 2014. Wine & Viticulture Journal editor Sonya Logan and regular writer and viticulturist Tony Hoare were also shortlisted for this award in 2014.

Kirrihill Wines in South Australia’s Clare Valley has appointed Will Shields as Senior Winemaker. Shields comes to Kirrihill with a wealth of experience from a vine and wine career spanning a Hunter Valley vineyard upbringing and more than two decades of winemaking across Australia and New Zealand. CEO Matthew Lawson says the appointment comes at an exciting time for Kirrihill and places Shields at the helm of an inspiring new era for the business and the brand. “We are delighted Will has crossed the Pacific to make Kirrihill and Clare his new home, bringing with him the essential knowledge and perspective we value and strive for.

Australian products sold to China could soon come under a “one brand, one logo” labelling strategy as exporting deals ramp up following the recent free trade agreement. The new campaign — led by Australian mining and agriculture magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest — would see all Australian food products — including beef, vegetables, cheese, wine and high-end condiments — sold to China marketed as “Australian” as opposed to their individual branding. Along with umbrella marketing, the labels are designed to be counterfeit-proof so that quality-conscious Chinese consumers know where they’re product is sourced from.

Australia ranked as the 39th most expensive country to buy wine in the latest Wine Price Index. New Zealand, by comparison, was ranked as the 10th least expensive country to buy wine with an average cost of $14.43. The index, released today, is a comprehensive study comparing the cost of wine in 65 countries worldwide, averaging and comparing local and imported wine prices in each country. The least expensive country to buy wine was Paraguay, which offered wine at an average of $9.90, while at the other end of the ranking United Arab Emirates calculated at a cost over 5 times higher, at $51.15 per 750ml bottle.

Australia takes the pulse of wine grape markets, while the Northern Hemisphere harvest appears set to fall on the short side, and China headlines developments in global wine trade, according to Rabobank’s Global Wine Quarterly for Q4 2016. The Australian wine grape industry has experienced a ‘red dawn’, with prices rising from their 2011 lows, particularly for red wine grape varieties sourced from more premium growing regions. “Life has returned to Australian wine grape prices, with China driving much of the recovery in market conditions,” said Rabobank senior analyst Marc Soccio.

The Western Cape Member of the Executive Council of economic opportunities Alan Winde will investigate allegations of dire employment conditions for those working in the wine industry after a documentary by a Danish filmmaker painted a bleak picture showing the exploitation of employees. Reports emerged of some Danish businesses boycotting the sale of South African wines after the airing of Tom Heinemann’s documentary in Sweden and Denmark last week. Winde in a statement on Tuesday said the allegations are viewed in a serious light.

Following three days of judging over 1,400 wines, 91 gold medals have been awarded in this year’s Air New Zealand Wine Awards. Chair of Judges and Master of Wine Michael Brajkovich said the most pleasing aspect of this year’s awards was the spread of gold medals across a number of varieties and regions. “Pinot Noir was once again the star performer with 17 golds. Predominantly the wines came from Marlborough and Central Otago, but a Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir was also in the mix.”

The AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge 2016 has awarded Saint Clair Family Estate the trophy for the Best New Zealand Producer of the Year. A trophy was also awarded for the Saint Clair Pioneer Block 25 Point Five Sauvignon Blanc 2015, for Sauvignon Blanc (more than 13.0 percent alcohol). The AWC Vienna is the largest officially recognised wine competition in the world with over 12 thousand wines entered from 41 different countries in 2016. This leading show has been operating for the last 13 years and through the use of the official blind tasting system and strict tasting rules it has developed a reputation of having incredibly high standards.

Wine researchers at the University of Adelaide are investigating the traditional practices of Australian Aboriginal people in producing fermented beverages and foods. Although referred to in early European texts, little is known about the processes involved, the yeasts and bacteria at work, or the chemistry, taste and smell of the plants and finished products. Led by Professor Vladimir Jiranek, Professor of Oenology and Director of the ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production, the research will focus initially on fermentations of cider gum sap (from Tasmania), nectar from Banksia and other native blossoms (from various locations) and quandong roots (from South Australia).

West Australian wines exceeded the expectations of Wine Show of WA international judge Jane Parkinson. The UK-based wine journalist, author and broadcaster was in WA for two weeks as part of the 16-person panel of judges for this year’s annual event. Parkinson said her expectation of high quality wines was “more than met”. “It was my first experience judging in a state show – I have been the international judge at a city show in Australia before – and I really enjoyed focussing on the wines from that particular state, especially when we don’t see as many WA wines in the UK as we do wines from other Australian states,” she said.