The August issue of the Grapegrower & Winemaker is out now and, this month, it includes a special focus on export.
The issue takes a close look at the latest export figures – and it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s no doubt it is tough – declining bottle shipments are proof of that – but the value of our premium bottled wine is growing. There’s also an interview with some of the industry’s top bulk wine distributors and advice on where to find and how to access government support measures for exporters.
Leading the news section, we talk the carbon tax, and pending reforms of the Victorian Wine Industry Association, which in the near future could roll out to other state associations. There’s a preview of the upcoming Wine Industry Environment Conference, being held in October, and our Regional Roundup goes to New Zealand’s North Island.
The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) recently ran a Research to Practice workshop on Alternative Varieties at Langhorne Creek, and the Grapegrower & Winemaker’s journalist Kellie Arbuckle went along to listen. Her report from the workshop leads the Grapegrowing section.
Grapevine leafroll is a disease that continues to affect yield and wine quality around the world, particularly in New Zealand and South Africa. Now, Australia’s wine industry is being warned to not let it take hold here. Other viticulture topics also featured this month include advice on how to set up your own rootstock trials, research which looks at the effects of high temperatures on berry sensory traits, vine nutrition as well as new trellis products and tractors entering the market.
The bi-monthly GWRDC newsletter, RD@Work, looks at the Future Leaders program and delivers the latest advice on phosphorous acid and a new wastewater resource. It also profiles Anthony Robinson and his groundbreaking research into shipping impacts on wine composition.
This month, we enter the search for the ‘holy wine grail’ – or as well-known and highly respected winemaker and consultant Brian Croser explains it: “the place where the geology, soil system, aspect and climate interact to elicit the best response from the chosen variety”. As part of the search, we look at the process of ‘natural’, ‘organic’ and ‘minimal intervention’ winemaking and ask the winemakers to help explain their practice and philosophy. Other topics in winemaking include a review of the recently released Global Wine Markets statistical compendium, the Ask the AWRI column answers concerns regarding botrytis effects in wine development and we review the latest offerings in wine storage – barrels and tanks.
In the new Sales and Marketing and Business and Technology sections, Denis Gastin reports on foreign investment in the wine industry and journalist Danielle Costley looks at QR Codes and the necessary steps wineries must take to best employ this new marketing tool. Monthly columnist Jeni Port talks wine shows and Melanie Reddaway helps explain periodic and perpetual record keeping. Wine closures are also back on the agenda, and some say Australia’s push into China is seeing ‘cork on a comeback’.
All up there’s 124 pages, and so much more… If you’re not already a subscriber, visit: https://www.winebiz.com.au/gwm/subscribe/
