The Barossa Valley became a little less voluble over the weekend, as word spread of the loss of a man loved and respected by many. Fifth-generation grape grower and winemaker Kym Jenke passed away suddenly on Saturday. Through a myriad of online tributes, Kym – who was also known for his love for hot rods – has been remembered as a character with a zest for life and infectious smile.
Beverage Trade Network is pleased to announce the launch of the International Bulk Wine and Spirits Show (IBWSS) in San Francisco on July 26-27, 2017. IBWSS will give supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, wineries, distilleries and other buyers a premiere international platform to source bulk wine and spirits and meet private label suppliers.
French police are investigating a possible death threat sent to the home of a Burgundy wine union president, as tension in France grows over the use of pesticides in vineyards. A letter sent to the head of the Mâcon producers’ union, Jérôme Chevallier, warned of deaths unless growers stop using pesticides in their vineyards. Local police are treating the anonymous letter, sent to Chevallier’s home address, as a possible death threat.
Selling wine in larger glasses encourages people to drink more, even when the amount of wine served in different sized glass remains the same, new research suggests. Scientists at the University of Cambridge believe bigger glasses may encourage drinkers to consume their wine faster and therefore to order more. But they found the opposite effect did not occur when the same quantity of wine was served in smaller glasses.
An innovative wine company has been described as “primed for growth and investment” thanks to its focus on getting the basics of business right. WineFriend, which launched late last year, is a subscription service that takes the hassle and guesswork out of choosing a great bottle of wine at a reasonable price. It is the first company of its kind in New Zealand, delivering a customised selection of wine to its subscribers, based on their individual taste preferences.
LOVERS of Australian whisky should consider it their patriotic duty to drink a sherry for mum, a port for dad and a Tasmanian dram for the country. That way they’ll continue to support the local whisky industry and protect the future supply of sherry and port barrels for whisky maturation. Folks, whisky derives many of its flavours and characteristics from the barrels during maturation. The US supplies bourbon barrels, leaving port and sherry casks, which complete the trinity of whisky flavour profiles, to come from Australia and Europe mostly.
The fruit infused wine category is relatively new to Australia but has been making waves over in the UK, so should retailers be paying attention? Led by a growing trend in the UK, the fruit infused wine category is one to watch, with retailers and suppliers who are looking to capture that 18 to 35-year-old female demographic, or entice new entrants into the wine market.
THE Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) will give growers some guidance on expectations for next year’s vintage at a grape and wine roadshow to be held at Irymple this week. Key topics will include the latest news on water availability in the coming season and whether a surge in wine exports points to industry recovery. Murray Valley Wine Growers (MVW) executive officer Mike Stone said that while the 2016 harvest finished only two months ago, growers were about to start preparing for next year.
ONE of South Australia’s wine luminaries is involved in a legal battle with a global winemaker over the use of the word “signature” on its labels. Adelaide based wine merchant Samuel Smith and Son — owned by the Hill-Smith family — has taken its dispute with Pernod Ricard to the Federal Court. The Hill-Smith family runs one of Australia’s oldest family owned wineries, Yalumba, at Angaston, which carries The Signature range.
Wine Grape Council of SA (WGCSA) yesterday annnounced the finalists in the 2016 PIRSA Vinnovation Award, created to recognise innovations which produce gains in efficiency, reduce OH&S risk and increase vineyard profit potential. Five entries have been chosen as finalists, with two entries being from one person.