Australian Wine News
The below wine news is supplied by Winebiz
Survey shows big jump in winemakers' confidence
Local wine producers say optimism in the industry has jumped significantly, with survey results showing confidence in the sector generally has risen more than any other. The National Australia Bank's (NAB) post-farm gate agribusiness survey for the March quarter showed confidence in the wine industry increased by more than 20 points over the three months. NAB says that was largely fuelled by the growth in exports of higher priced bottles.
Tassie drop a world-beater
Josef Chromy Wines has emerged triumphant at an international wine show for the second time in two weeks. Last week a Chardonnay from the vineyard and winery, 14km south of Launceston, scooped a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in London. Yesterday the same Chardonnay was awarded the Regional Chardonnay Trophy at a another competition, the Decanter World Wine Awards in London.
Top red wine vintage looms
Word is this year's vintage of the Australian wine variety Cienna could be one out of the box. Tresco winegrape grower Colin Free, who has grown 12.5ha of Cienna for winemakers Brown Brothers for the past five years, said it could be the best quality yet. "It may even surpass last year," Colin said.
Biggest yet Pyrmont Festival is a success for Mudgee
Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association president Drew Stein said the third collaboration between Mudgee and Pyrmont had been a great success, following the biggest yet Pyrmont Festival public tasting in Pirrama Park. The City of Sydney estimated that 20,000 visitors attended the event over Saturday and Sunday, which included food, wine, music, cooking demonstrations and the festival’s first sculpture garden. Mr Stein said the tasting included the biggest contingent of food producers, wine producers, artists and sculptors that Mudgee had yet taken to the festival.
Next Gen satisfies wine sippers
Set aside the spit bucket, the Next Generation winemaking crew sanctions swallowing the good stuff. Next Generation Hunter Valley winemaker Rhys Eather said the four-year-old collective attracted a down-to-earth clientele. "A lot of wine tastings can be boring, over the top and intimidating," Mr Eather said. "We want ours to be fun."
Tempranillo not yet matching predictions (NZ)
With summer gone and with it the urge for something white and cool to drink, I pulled a red from the wine cellar and opened it without paying too much attention to its provenance, or to the variety. The taste told me it was Tempranillo and the label said New Zealand - Central Otago in fact - which immediately got me thinking about the interest shown in this Spanish red by New Zealand winemakers and their customers over the past few years
Marlborough wines sweep world awards (NZ)
Eight of the nine New Zealand wines awarded regional trophies in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2013 announced in London on Monday night were from Marlborough. This year, the Decanter World Wine Awards received a record-breaking 14,362 wine entries, from 52 countries. The 32 International Trophies will be announced at a gala dinner at the Royal Opera House in London in September.
No more headaches for wine buffs (NZ)
While it is not quite transforming water into wine, a Nelson business is working miracles for people suffering from sulphite allergies. Husband and wife Miles and Christina Clifford have released a wine additive, UBFree, they say will eliminate free sulphites in wine, allowing those with an allergy to have a glass without ill-effects. The idea came two years ago, when Mrs Clifford, a former teacher-aide, was diagnosed with a sulphite allergy. Sulphites are used as a preservative in wine.
