The distinct regional conditions, or terroir, in which grapes are grown are thought to shape a wine’s character. But strict scientific evidence of this phenomenon has been lacking. Now, researchers in Auckland, New Zealand, have confirmed that at least one aspect of terroir—local differences in yeast strains—does indeed alter the outcome of Sauvignon Blanc fermentation. Their findings were published yesterday (September 24) in Scientific Reports.
A leading proponent of biodynamic and natural-winemaking in Pouilly-Fumé will take the national institute for appellations – or INAO – to court, over its decision to strip him of his right to an AOC. Alexandre Bain of Domaine Alexandre Bain in the Loire appellation of Pouilly-Fumé received a letter from the INAO last week ‘definitively’ revoking the right to label his wines AOC Pouilly-Fumé.
In 2007, when Bertony Faustin switched careers, from anesthesia technician to winemaker, he felt like an outsider. He was new to winemaking and the locations of his vineyard and winery isolated him from the Northern Willamette Valley scene. Faustin’s 18 acres of grapevines are on a 50-acre estate, owned by his parents-in-law, on Germantown Road. Yes, that’s right: The vines are a stone’s throw from Forest Park, in Multnomah County.
The 1997 El Nino, which was as intense as the current one, helped bring on a severe drought in the summer of 1997 and 1998. Geoff Wright from Wrights Vineyard and Winery in Gisborne said 1997-98 was a fantastic year for winemakers, particularly in Gisborne. “So if we are looking for an El Nino dry summer, what we are looking at producing is probably really good ripe grapes from our vineyard and producing some really good wine,” he said.
The distinct regional conditions, or terroir, in which grapes are grown are thought to shape a wine’s character. But strict scientific evidence of this phenomenon has been lacking. Now, researchers in Auckland, New Zealand, have confirmed that at least one aspect of terroir—local differences in yeast strains—does indeed alter the outcome of Sauvignon Blanc fermentation. Their findings were published yesterday (September 24) in Scientific Reports.
This week’s cold snap has had local grape producers on edge. Spring is a critical time for vines as buds burst, and frost can have serious negative impacts on the plants. Temperatures plunged to seven degrees below average this week, with a light dusting of snow recorded on the Barrington Tops. Upper Hunter vigneron Brett Keeping said buds have burst earlier this year.
For a wine label that, at just two years old is still in its infancy, Silkman Wines, produced by a Maitland husband and wife team, has already put Australia on notice. Shaun Silkman sat in the downstairs office at First Creek winery, staring disbelievingly at the computer screen. He turned to his winemaking wife Liz and said just two words: “Holy shit!”
Pepper Tree announced yesterday that Gwyn Olsen has been appointed as new head winemaker for the brand. Olsen comes from her current position as winemaker and general manager of Briar Ridge Vineyard where she has been responsible for outstanding growth and wine show success over the past two years. Her awards include Gourmet Traveller Young Winemaker of the Year in 2014, Dux of the AWRI Advanced Wine Assessment Course in 2014 and Hunter Valley Rising Star award in 2015.
Representatives of wine companies and national, state and regional wine industry bodies appeared at a public hearing in Adelaide yesterday as part of the Senate inquiry into the grape and wine industry. The hearing was the first of three, with the second starting in Launceston, Tasmania, this afternoon and the third scheduled for the Swan Valley in late October.
NAPA — Washington State may be overshadowed by California’s wine industry, but it is gaining prominence and will continue to do so thanks to cheap land, fewer regulations and growing recognition of the quality of the Evergreen State’s varietals. That was the message Tuesday from Ted Baseler, president and chief executive of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates of Woodinville, Wash., which has grown to be the nation’s seventh-largest wine company through the strength of its home market.