June, 20, 2011 AUS: Smoke taint costing millions

SMOKE taint has cost Victorian wine grape growers more than $300 million in the past five years. Centre for Expertise in Smoke Taint Research director Dr Mark Downey said the bushfires in Victoria in 2007 and 2009 highlighted the devastating effect smoke could have on the industry. "Many vineyards ...

June, 20, 2011 Collaboration and partnership is way forward for global wine industry, says Vinexpo's Robert Beynat

A key consequence of the 2009/2010 global financial crisis has been the willingness of international wine players to work far more collaboratively and for the world wine industry to act far more as one, according to Robert Beynat, chief executive of Vinexpo. A key consequence of the 2009/2010 global...

June, 20, 2011 US: Gay Wine Weekend in Sonoma draws 350-400

The nation's lingering economic recession was a distant memory Sunday for bidders raising their hands to offer $50 and $100 more than the last at an intimate brunch auction for Sonoma County's Face to Face AIDS network. The event raised thousands for the cause, all the more important with funding...

June, 19, 2011 France: Rauzan Segla owners buy second Saint Emilion estate

The Wertheimer family, owners of luxury goods house Chanel, and Chateau Rauzan Segla in Margaux, have bought the estate neighbouring their classified Saint Emilion property Chateau Canon. The 12-hectare Chateau Matras, also a classified growth, was purchased for €8m, in a deal that valued the land...

June, 19, 2011 US: Wineries leverage technology to reach consumers

The digital revolution is spreading across the wine world — whether the industry is ready or not. More than 450 wine-related applications are now available on the iPhone and other mobile devices — more than six times the number that existed only 18 months ago, according to a recent survey. ...

June, 19, 2011 Oregon: Wine board names pair of experts to lead trade group

SALEM — Two veteran wine marketing specialists have been named to provide interim leadership to the Oregon Wine Board. Steve Burns and Stacie Jacob previously developed successful marketing campaigns for the Washington Wine Commission.Burns and Jacob replace Jeanette Morgan, who stepped down as e...

June, 18, 2011 US: New Jersey winemakers worried by bottleneck on direct shipping

In the midst of a busy summer sipping season, New Jersey wineries can't expand and new wineries can't open because of a stalemate in the Legislature over a bigger issue: allowing the direct shipping of wine from out of state. "It's costing me at least $3,000 a week," said Tom Sharko, owner of Alb...

June, 18, 2011 NZ: Better prospects seen for wine growers

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) sees a more encouraging outlook for the wine industry beyond 2012, as the economies of major markets such as Britain and the US recover. In its latest Situation and Outlook report, released this week, MAF says the average export price of wine has fal...