UK to host next International Climate Change Symposium (UK)
Posted by Daily Wine News | Filed under Wine Reviews
The UK’s status as a serious producer of cool-climate sparkling wines has been further cemented by the announcement that the ninth International Cool Climate Symposium will take place in the UK.The four-yearly conference, which is being held this week in Tasmania, will be a joint effort between Sussex’s Plumpton College, the Institute of Masters of Wine, University of Brighton, the trade organisation English Wine Producers, and the UK Vineyards Association, reports Decanter.
Jackson Family Wines buys historic Australian vineyard
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The Hickinbotham Vineyard at Clarendon, the source of some of Australia’s finest Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon, now has an American owner. Jackson Family Wines has announced its purchase of the 445-acre McLaren Vale property. The sale comprises 207 planted acres on rolling hillsides, some steep and wooded, and two architecturally significant homes. Although no purchase price was announced, industry sources estimate it was more than $10 million, reports Wine Spectator.
Accolades flow for local wines
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Accolades continue to pour in at Belgrave Park Winery. Three of the Cobargo vineyard’s tipples took home medals from the recent 2012 South Coast Wine Show in Ulladulla, where they competed against the best wineries from the Southern Highlands, Shoalhaven and South Coast. The awards were for Belgrave Park’s “Hair of the Dog”-labelled Merlot (silver medal), white Shiraz (silver) and Viognier (bronze), all grown and made at the Cobargo property, reports Bega District News.
Public invited to taste winning wines of Sydney International Wine Comp
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The public is being invited to taste the winning wines of the 2012 Sydney International Wine Competition over a six-course dinner in Sydney next month. Trophy winning wines will be announced at a degustation banquet from noon to 4pm at the Shangri La Hotel on Saturday 25 February. Now in its 31st year, the Sydney International Wine Competition is the only Australian wine show where wines are judged alongside appropriately weighted food.
Backpackers flock to Hunter Valley for grape picking season
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The annual grape picking harvest is traditionally a busy time for local backpacker accommodation providers. The Hunter Valley YHA in Nulkaba and Bottlebrush Backpackers in Cessnock were both at full capacity last Friday, as was the Wine Country Caravan Park at Nulkaba, with backpackers keen to make a bit of cash on their travels. Most are European, with England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain among the nations represented, reports the Cessnock Advertiser.
Australian sells out of NZ wine venture (NZ)
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Philosophical differences have caused the Australian part-owner of Martinborough’s Te Kairanga and several other New Zealand wineries to pull out of the venture. Wineinc, owned by Australian Bruce Clugston, has sold its 5.12 per cent share in FFW Holdings NZ to majority shareholder Foley Family Wines. Foley now wholly owns the New Zealand firm. The Overseas Investment Office approved the sale last month, reports Business Day.
Tough job picking best local drops (NZ)
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It sounds like a wine lover’s dream day. To taste about 80 of Hawke’s Bay’s finest wines all in a sniff and a sip in under eight hours. But for the judges of the bi-annual Regional Wine Selection it is demanding and at the end of the day vital in providing a selection geared to be tasted by visitors from all over the world. And besides, while the three judges for this year’s leading line-up got to savour the rich aromas and taste the many varied flavours they did not allow those drops to go any further than the taste buds in their mouths, reports Hawke’s Bay Today.
Good turn out for festival season (NZ)
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The community was the big winner with three festivals held at venues around the Tasman district last Sunday. An estimated 2000 people attended the annual Brightwater Wine and Food Festival at Grey’s Vineyard, about 4000 were at the Sarau Festival in Upper Moutere and more than 600 people attended the Summer Food Fare in Collingwood. The region’s finest wines and beers, a mouthwatering range of food stalls and cooking demonstrations and top class music all contributed to a great day out at all three venues, reports Nelson Mail.
Scientist sees potential for grape industry to diversify
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A former Department of Agriculture and CSIRO food research scientist believes he can help local grapegrowers to expand amid tough times in the wine industry. Mudgee man Kevin Scott said the region’s grapegrowers should consider shifting from wine to table grapes. He is not calling for all winegrapes to be grafted but rather an experiment that may offer a positive alternative, reports the Mudgee Guardian.
Hunter Valley wine boss tips bumper harvest
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Local winemakers are expecting a bumper harvest due to the unusually wet December and cool January weather. Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association president Andrew Margan said conditions were perfect when picking started on January 18, and although it has delayed picking at some sites, last week’s rain did not provide too much cause for concern, reports the Cessnock Advertiser. “It has been going really well with the fruit showing a lovely flavour,” Mr. Margan said.