With nine months to go, Oz Clarke and Dr Jamie Goode, two leading UK speakers, share what they are most looking forward to next May at the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium. For both of them, the opportunity to meet with such a wide range of global winemaking and viticultural talent ranks high among the ICCWS attractions.
The Organising Committee of the 2015 NZ Syrah Workship have announced a “top quality” line up of speakers for the event, held 4-6 November 2015 at Bayview Chateau Tongariro, Mt Ruapehu. Winemaker Gary Mills from Victoria’s Jamsheed Wines will be looking at his four single vineyard sites over a particular years and the terroir expressed between them. Four distinct site spread across Victoria: Upper Yarra Valley – a cooler site on red volcanic soils producing wines of spice and silky texture. Pyrenees – pink quartz laced granite profile producing deep rugged wines with particular savoury appeal and tenacity
Don McConachy and the lead character in the movie Sideways are both in a search for the perfect Pinot Noir. But while wine buff Miles just wants to drink the elusive flawless red, McConachy’s dream is to create it. Two years ago mechanical engineer McConachy returned from working overseas for 21 years on a variety of heavy engineering projects and bought 4 hectares of prime Martinborough viticulture land in order to fulfil his ambition.
The proportion of Australian adults drinking wine has been in decline for some years, including the Aussie wine cask, whose popularity is also dropping. The latest findings by Roy Morgan Research indicate that 45 per cent of the population – or 8.1m Australians – drink some kind of wine every month, down from 50 per cent in 2007. Of these, almost 1.3m consume cask wine, suggesting a substantial decline from the 2.3m who drank it back in 2007.
Australia is known for global wine brands that are consistent, predictable and value for money. There is, however, an alternative wine scene worth exploring, and a new breed of winemakers who are challenging established brands with their exciting experimentation. They bring passion, exuberance and an unorthodox approach to winemaking. A blend of tradition and innovation seen in these “neoclassical” Australian reds.
Treasury Wine Estates has at least one ace up its sleeve as it looks to continue its good run into the new financial year. It involves the often derided pink coloured beverage known as rosé, or brosé as some people calling it this northern hemisphere summer. Men drinking rosé, or brosé has been a bit of a talking point in the US and Europe this summer. Apparently, people are switching from drinking craft beer to it, causing all sorts of thinkpieces on the matter.
Wolf Blass launched a new brand campaign celebrating those who “boldly chase triumph”, with an innovative “Here’s to the Chase” creative platform. A collaboration between Wolf Blass and new marketing partner J. Walter Thompson, the campaign marks the brand’s first relaunch since the agency was appointed as Treasury Wine Estate’s global marketing services provider in February this year.
ONE of Australia’s most prominent wine critics faces potential contempt of court and defamation proceedings for commenting on a court case. Lawyers on Wednesday accused James Halliday of contempt of court for writing about Barossa Valley winemaker Trevor David “Boots” Jones. The accusations were made during a hearing in which the court dismissed charges Mr Jones had deliberately drained $300,000 of chardonnay from a rival’s tanks.
Treasury Wine Estates has bounced back into the black, after an overhaul of the wine company stripped out more costs than the firm had forecast. The wine company today posted a net profit of $77.6 million in the year ended June 30, compared with a loss of $100.9m in the previous corresponding period. The firm’s earnings before interest, tax, material items and other accounting adjustments rose 22 per cent compared to the previous year, reaching $225.1m.
Hopes are rising in Rioja for a successful 2015 wine harvest, and pickers are facing an early start.
At Bodegas Sierra Cantabria, Alberto Saldon told Decanter.com that their vines at Vinedos de Paganos have nearly completed veraison (colour change), and should be picked one month early.
Rain over the past week means yields are expected to be average across the region. ‘July saw an unusually high number of days over 40 degrees centigrade,’ Saldon said.