Wine trade figures from across the world will be hosting events to celebrate the second International Grenache Day this Friday, 23 September. The event emerged from last year’s inaugural Grenache Symposium, which saw 250 delegates from 23 countries gather in the Rhône to draw up a blueprint for boosting the profile of the world’s most widely planted red grape variety. Some of the world’s most high profile Grenache producers are supporting this year’s event, including d’Arenberg, Torbreck, Turkey Flat and Henschke in Australia, reports The Drinks Business.

The first Indian wines to be sold by a British supermarket could become a fixture on its shelves after coming close to selling out in record time. Earlier this month, Waitrose became the first UK supermarket to stock the little-known brands from the sub-continent as part of a showcase of unusual wines from across the world. Wine experts have questioned their quality and suggested the popularity is down to novelty value. But some of those trying to buy the wines – a red and a white – have found their local stores were already out of stock, reports The Guardian.

Can’t decide between a dry Maxime Magnon Grenache Gris, a fruity Rockford Frontignac or a fragrant Kaltern Pinot Bianco? Today that’s less of a problem than ever before – have a glass of each. With an increasing number of restaurants and bars offering a wider range of wines by the glass, customers are being encouraged to try a taste of more expensive wines, new labels and unusual varietals – and boost bar profits, reports The Australian.

The wine named in honour of Andrew Wigan was the pick of the bunch at Thursday’s Barossa Wine Show and delivered an emotional trophy to the Peter Lehmann winemaking team. Andrew (or Wig as everybody at Peter Lehmann Wines knows him) has only been back at work for a month after his second major abdominal operation in the past year, reports The Barossa and Light Herald. “I was incredibly sick 12 months ago, but I’m all good now and have been back at work for the past four weeks – and I’m pretty happy about it too,” Andrew said.

The Andrew Thomas juggernaut rolls on with his award for best red wine of show at the Hunter Valley Boutique Winemakers Show. Last month Mr Thomas collected six trophies at the bigger Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association Awards, including best red wine of show. But this time, just to show the strength of his portfolio, he won it with a different wine, reports The Maitland Mercury.

Three Barossa winemakers have been nominated in the Wine Society’s 2011 Young Winemaker of the Year Awards. Hentley Farm’s Andrew Quin, Orlando’s Dan Swincer and Troy Kalleske from the Kalleske family winery are all in the running to win the 11th title, reports The Barossa and Light Herald. Troy said it was great to see two of his Barossa peers in the running. “There’s only 10 finalists, so to have three in from the Barossa says some good things about the region,” Troy said

Wine connoisseurs quaffing the red stuff for the sake of their heart health should know the myth has been busted. The Alcohol Policy Coalition, made up of Australia’s leading health groups, released a paper today challenging the common belief that red wine helps prevent heart disease. A review of the evidence shows any positive effects of alcohol have been “hugely overestimated”, reports The Herald Sun.

Great Southern winemakers Mike Garland and Andrew Hoadley have been celebrating after winning three prestigious trophies at the Perth Royal Wine Show. Denmark’s Castelli Estate beat a strong field of wines from across Australia after their 2011 vintage Riesling won the Bankwest – WA Wine Press Club Trophy for Best Western Australian Wine, the trophy for Best Western Australian White Table Wine and trophy for Best 2011 Vintage Dry White Table Wine, reports The Albany Weekender.

Gisborne Albarino wine will be available commercially next year, following the first successful vintage this year by local growers Doug and Delwyn Bell. Last year the vines produced a small crop of about half a tonne and a limited number of bottles were produced to test the market. It will be available commercially next year. Since the first planting of two hectares in December 2009 the Bells have planted another two hectares with three clones of the same variety, reports The Gisborne Herald.

A feature on the Auckland visitors’ wine trail – Te Whau Vineyard, on Waiheke Island – is being offered for sale by the owners who established it on an old sheep farm in 1993. Perched on a headland of vines and bush, its distinctive winery and cafe building has views over the Hauraki Gulf and has been a favourite with overseas VIPs from actor Sean Connery to celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, reports The New Zealand Herald.