Tourism Australia has released figures showing that one dollar in every five now spent by international visitors in Australia is on food and wine. Since December 2013, Australia has seen a 12.6 per cent increase (an additional $531 million) in tourism dollars spent on food and wine. The increased figures have hit the campaign target for the Restaurant Australia campaign of which Wine Australia is a supporting partner.

Gen Y is the most studied demographic in history. It’s a unique generation not just as individuals, but also as consumers. They are the first group of people to have grown up with, and captured the power of the internet and technologies such as smartphones and social media. With this in mind, Love & Wine directors Brian and Evan Mitchell made a conscious effort to study what Gen Y looks for and needs from a brand when creating YOU Wines.

The wine industry came together in Adelaide on Friday, August 28, to discuss the urgency for industry reform and agreed on next steps for how representative organisations can contribute to a return to profitability. More than 40 wine industry leaders from across Australia met at Grape & Wine 2015, an initiative that was established after a meeting of state and national chairs of various wine organisations held in November 2014. Grape and Wine 15 included representatives from all states and many regional associations, growers, winemakers and service providers.

Chile is “only just scratching the surface” with Syrah, suggests former Penfolds Grange winemaker John Duval, as he outlined some potential routes forward for the country with this variety.
While Chile’s main calling card, especially at the top end, remains Cabernet Sauvignon – the backbone of Duval’s Enclave project with Ventisquero and a flagship explored in September’s issue of the drinks business – Duval confessed that his main passion lay elsewhere.

PGG Wrightson Real Estate Nelson/Marlborough sales manager Joe Blakiston said the market appeared ready to take off. He said larger Marlborough wine companies were seeking land for development and investors from beyond the region were also paying close attention.

The New Zealand Wine Intermediate Certificate was launched in Shanghai last week, giving Chinese wine consumers the chance to learn about New Zealand’s diverse wine styles.
The education program was developed by New Zealand Winegrowers and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise in response to a growing demand for information about New Zealand wine from consumers across China.

The 10th annual International Sweet Wine Challenge (ISWC) highlighted the diversity on offer in this category, with the top trophy presented to a Viognier for the first time. Previous winning wines have included Semillon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewurztraminer, but this year it was time for Viognier to shine.
The 2013 Freeman Dolcino (meaning “little sweetie”) is made from Viognier grapes harvested at very high sugar levels and fermented by wild yeasts in a combination of old and new oak barrels.

NSW Small Winemakers Show celebrated its 24th year of competition this year. 568 entries were received from 90 small producers that crush a maximum of 500-tonnes annually. More than 45 per cent of wines entered received a medal, the highest-ever percentage recorded at the show. Gold medal wines came from a broad spread of regions, including the Hunter Valley, Canberra District, Hilltops, South Coast, Mudgee, Orange, Southern Highlands and Riverina.

Western Australia has continued its supremacy over the eastern states in the wine stakes battle.
Wineries from the Swan Valley, Great Southern, Dunsborough and Margaret River took home the major gongs at the heavily-contested 2015 Perth Royal Wine Show.
With almost 2100 wines poured and judged at this year’s show, competition was hot.

The highly-anticipated Australia Trade Tasting (AuTT) took place in Melbourne last week. Trade professionals from across the Australian adult beverage industry came together to taste trending beer, wine and spirits and attend a series of seminars on the state of the US and Australian markets. Three days of events took place in Melbourne, followed by a final day of trade only tastings in Sydney today, September 7.