Wine labels and descriptions thereon, have long been lambasted as the domain of serious wine lovers and derided by everyone else, evoking language not fit for this site. Research by the University of Adelaide, however, has shown that consumers are more influenced by wine label descriptions than previously thought, and that, just maybe, the descriptors wine writers, wine marketers and winemakers are using …

The Wine Council of Australia’s annual Wine Communicator of the Year Awards are back, this year adding two new categories and a new award into the mix.  The awards acknowledge outstanding contributions to all areas of wine communication. This year, WCA has divided the ‘Best Wine Book’ and ‘Best Wine Publication’ awards into two categories, technical trade and consumer. WCA National Chair, Angus…

Brown Brothers in Milawa, Victoria is in the process of trialling an exciting new grape varietal that has been developed with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO) at its innovative Kindergarten winery. The varietal, known as Mystique, is the first of its kind and has never been planted or used by winemakers anywhere else in the world. The official varietal backgroun…

Charles Sturt University Viticulture student, Hannah McKay, has been awarded the prestigious 2017 Sydney Royal Wine Scholarship. Employed by the iconic winery Vasse Felix in Margaret River, Western Australia, McKay studies by distance, travelling regularly to the New South Wales-based university. The scholarship will give McKay $3,500 to put towards her tertiary studies, as well as the opportunity t…

Despite some unpredictable weather, the wine regions of Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia  have once again produced a stellar crop of rich reds and bright whites, particularly among the aromatics.  We sat down with Larry Cherubino, winemaker and owner of his eponymous wine company in WA;  Steve Webber, Chief Winemaker and Manager of De Bortoli’s Yarra Valley Estate; and …

Ferngrove Wine Group’s winemaking team grew this week with the appointment of Mark O’Callaghan to Director of Winemaking. O’Callaghan joins Senior Winemakers Marco Pinares and Marelize Russouw and will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the group’s wine prod uction. The winery, located in Frankland River, Western Australia is well-known for the Ferngrove, Ki…

One of Australia’s oldest and most respected families of wine scored a hat-trick at the Hunter Valley’s night of nights last Thursday. Tyrrell’s Wines’ Bruce Tyrrell, Mark Richardson and Andrew Pengilly were among joyous recipients of trophies at this year’s Hunter Valley Legends Awards. Fourth generation family member and Managing Director, Bruce Tyrrell, was presented…

This month, Australia’s First Families of Wine (AFFW) will head to the United States as part of Wine Australia’s Spring Roadshow – Australia Up Close. The twelve families will travel across the country to meet with consumers, trade and media to share their stories and educate them about Australian wine. AFFW represents Australia’s oldest and most respected multi-generational,…

Wine Tasmania has the nation’s trade to visit the island for a wine-focused tour to be held on 23 – 24 July 2017. Ten of Australia’s wine trade representatives will be chosen for the visit, which is now the fourth trade visitation program presented by Wine Tasmania. The group will meet Tasmania’s wine producers and sample wines across the state whilst enjoying the island’s lai…

Samuel Smith & Son (SS&S) will take over the distribution of New Zealand brand Mt Difficulty Wines nationally from 1 June 2017. Previously distributed in Australia by Fine Wine Partners (FWP), the opportunity for SS&S to take over the agreement came about when FWP was sold to Accolade Wines earlier this year. Mt Difficulty Wines has a reputation for producing premium wines from some of t…