It’s not just the beer, the crocodile hunters and the Great Barrier Reef that bring smiles to the faces of foreigners. This past week the University of Adelaide’s Wine Business department released the results of a worldwide research project which says overseas consumers like the Aussie quaffers. The results were published in Australia’s Food Magazine and in a press release from the university. “Our international customers and consumers believe that our wine and our winemakers are authentic and exciting,” said Dr Roberta Crouch, lead researcher on the project.

For over 15 years, Agrifrance, a specialist division of BNP Paribas Wealth Management, has published an annual report on France’s rural economic situation, providing insights into rural property investment. This year’s report focuses on the major changes that have taken place in the global wine market over the past 20 years such as the arrival of wines from the New World and the rise of new consumers, according to BNP Paribas.

Sauvignon Blanc might be the darling of New Zealand, but this rugged winemaking region is far from a one trick pony. True, the aromatic variety accounted for 72.2 per cent of the country’s total harvest in 2014 and 85.5 per cent of its exports, (New Zealand Winegrowers 2014 annual report), but this southern hemisphere outpost has far more to offer than Marlborough Sauvignon. Having established a stellar reputation for the variety on the world stage, its premium heartland of Marlborough is now almost completely planted – which begs the question of which regions and varieties will producers now choose to invest in?

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is fetching big money on the bulk market after the crop for 2015 came in under target. After last year’s bumper harvest, which saw Marlborough wineries bring in a record 329,572 tonnes of grapes, the price of 2014 vintage Sauvignon Blanc on the bulk market dropped to $2 per litre. A year later, the average price for 1 litre is sitting at about $5. Wine Marlborough board chairman Clive Jones said while most wineries had come in on target, or just below, overall the volume of grapes harvested was “significantly smaller” than last year.

The Crittenden winemaking family has been coming up with surprises since they got into the game, and now they’ve got another, writes Marguerite Winter. The dam that Garry Crittenden created in 1981 is now a serene lake in a landscaped setting. The spacious decks of three boat house-style guest villas lap its edges and, across the lawn and skirting a vineyard, is Stillwater restaurant, a Mornington Peninsula landmark, and perfect for a spot of lunch after a tasting at the nearby cellar door.

The Australian Embassy introduced on Tuesday its premium food and beverage products to Indonesia through the Australian Culinary Trails which will be held for the second time this year from April 21 to 26 at the Grand Indonesia Mall in Central Jakarta. “We see great potential to increase our engagement in the food sector and hope these events will open up the opportunities for the industry of both in Australia and Indonesia,” Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Paul Grigson said.

The Hunter Valley has taken over from New Zealand’s Marlborough as the number one wine region represented on New South Wales wine lists with 7.8 per cent of all listings, up 21 per cent on last year. The findings were revealed in the latest Wine Business Solutions Wine On-Premise Report 2015 which reviews wine lists from all over Australia. Listings from NSW Wines were up six per cent on last year, being the only state to show growth.

A LIVE auction which offered some of Australia’s oldest and rarest wine has seen spirits soar and records broken. Supported by Langton’s, the Barossa Wine Chapters Auction opened online for bidding in early April before wrapping up with a live auction and lunch on Friday 17 April in the Barossa. More than 410 attendees were given the unique opportunity to buy large formats of wine, rare experiences and exclusive back vintage releases with perfect provenance direct from wineries.

THE Margaret River wine region will be put under the spotlight as part of a senate inquiry into the Australian wine sector. The inquiry will examine the costing and potential rebate for Australian wine.
WA senator Dean Smith co-sponsored the motion after seeing the demand for WA wine to be exported to China. The focus of the inquiry will be on the impact of free trade agreements, the Wine Equalisation Tax rebate and production costs.

The Glover family in Marlborough are firmly making their mark as a small but mighty producer with an award-winning array of aromatics and Pinot Noir. Lucky Jack Glover has been surrounded by wine all his life. After being inspired by other Marlborough pioneers, his parents, Owen and Wendy converted their dairy farm in Dillons Point to vine in 1985 and initially planted Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay before turning their hand to Gewürztraminer in 1991.