Deloitte’s sixth annual wine industry financial benchmarking survey, which tracks wineries responsible for about a third of export sales, reveals early signs of an export-led recovery, despite the high exchange rate in key markets. The National Business Review reports big and small wineries are showing healthy improvements in profitability as the industry swings back from oversupply. But not everyone has benefited.
The wet spring weather which boosted grass growth on pastoral farms has taken a toll on vineyards in the country’s largest wine-producing region. The cold and wet conditions have affected the flowering of vines in Marlborough, which produces three-quarters of the country’s wine, reports Radio New Zealand news.
Christmas is one of the few times in the year when wine-drinkers think about sweet and fortified wines. It may be their unique warming qualities, or possibly we need something sweet to drink alongside all those sugary treats. But even then, both remain neglected in a world full of dry whites and fruity red wines, writes John Wilson in The Irish Times.
Back in May, while en route to get a beer at Giants game, I noticed someone sampling wines out of a can, so I stopped to find out what it was all about, writes Pamela Busch in the San Francisco Examiner. You might wonder why I would ever put myself through such torture — after all, isn’t nine innings of a Giants game enough? I returned to my seat with a couple of samples for my friends to try, and we all agreed that they exceeded our expectations.
When glasses clink over a meal this Christmas, they’re more than likely to contain a drop of Sauvignon Blanc. But if drinkers are catching up with friends at a bar, they will probably knock back a cider or a craft beer. And if you happen to receive a bottle-shaped gift under your tree, chances are it will be a wine worth $20 to $30, reports Sydney Morning Herald.
Drinkers will be able to count the calories as they work out if they are “over the limit”, under new labelling requirements that have been given the nod by the nation’s food ministers.
According to The Australian wine, spirit and beer bottles will have to be labelled with tobacco-style health warnings to tell pregnant women that drinking will damage their unborn babies.
Drinkers will be able to count the calories as they work out if they are “over the limit”, under new labelling requirements that have been given the nod by the nation’s food ministers.
According to The Australian wine, spirit and beer bottles will have to be labelled with tobacco-style health warnings to tell pregnant women that drinking will damage their unborn babies.
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel gas giant AGL from its ranks because of its plans for coal seam gas exploration. Association President Andrew Margan told ABC Radio AGL was accepted as a member in 2010 on the understanding it wanted to work towards the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry. But Mr Margan says that is clearly not the case and coal seam gas mining does not belong in an iconic wine growing region like the Hunter.
The Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association has moved to expel gas giant AGL from its ranks because of its plans for coal seam gas exploration. Association President Andrew Margan told ABC Radio AGL was accepted as a member in 2010 on the understanding it wanted to work towards the betterment of the Hunter Valley wine industry. But Mr Margan says that is clearly not the case and coal seam gas mining does not belong in an iconic wine growing region like the Hunter.
According to the chairman of judges, John Ellis of Victoria, the 2341 entries in this year’s Royal Hobart Wine show were down slightly from last year due to the very difficult 2011 vintage conditions experienced right across south eastern Australia. The Mercury reports for Tasmania however, the number of exhibitors rose to 76, wines to 304 and the number of medals totalled 170, including 19 golds, 48 silvers and 103 bronzes, plus five open-class trophies.