Researchers at the University of Adelaide have developed a smart-phone app that will allow grape growers and wineries to detect and measure disease on grapes. Backed by Wine Australia, PMapp is able to pick up the widespread presence of powdery mildew on grapevines; a disease that currently costs the Australian wine industry $76 million per year through yield loss and cost of control. With the development of PMapp, the sector will now be able ...

Beresford Wines has opened the doors to what is to be listed as one of South Australia’s ‘must visit’ locations for wine tourism. Called the Tasting Pavilion, this new facility will provide visitors with an innovative tasting experience, including some of Beresford’s exclusive ranges, right in the heart of the McLaren Vale. Three tiers of Beresford’s award-winning wines, such as Beresford’s Estate range which is available for purchase in only a ...

The Christmas and New Year sense of adventure sees average spend skyrocket and consumers exploring more premium, and sometimes rare Champagnes. Is it the time of year that makes us lose our usual sensitivity to price? If that is the case, it’s nice to know you’re getting top quality when dipping into the ‘luxury compartment’ of the wallet. The three Champagnes below fit the bill when looking for something more ...

McWilliam’s and Casella Family Brands today announced the sale and purchase respectively of the Brand’s of Coonawarra winery and assets. The financial terms of the sale are commercial in confidence and include the purchase of the Brand’s winery, cellar door and brand IP. Commenting on the sale, McWilliam’s Wines CEO, Rob Blackwell said: “The sale of Brand’s was a very difficult decision to make but is consistent with our objective ...

The Australian Mens Water Polo team played host to Italy on Sydney Harbour this weekend, watched by 500 invited guests floating alongside on Starship Sydney, anchored in Campbell’s Cove. The International Cruise Ship Terminal, Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge provided the backdrop for drinks industry guests (principally Sydney on-trade) enjoying Champagne Taittinger and 42 Below Vodka, plenty of sunshine and the chance to ‘bump’ into some elite European ...

Taylors Wines’ St Andrews range has won gold across all of its latest vintages at the Beverage Testing Institute’s World Wine Championships in Chicago. The wine picked up gold medals for its 2013 shiraz, 2013 cabernet, 2014 chardonnay and 2012 & 2015 riesling. The World Wine Championships is America’s oldest annual international wine competition. It is a medal-based competition, with each awarded based on the 100-point scale. Wines are judged ...

Calabria Family Wines has announced two new appointments to its sales team in Victoria. Darrell Swanson has been appointed as the wine company’s new Business Development Manager and will be responsible for servicing the on-premise in Melbourne’s CBD and Eastern Suburbs. Darrell was previously Area Sales Manager for Echelon Wines and prior to that, Brand Development Manager for Vranken Pommery. In total, Darrel has 15 years’ experience from the wine ...

The latest vintage from Champagne House Perrier-Jouët is the 2007 Belle Epoque – and will be available in very limited quantities in some of Australia’s iconic restaurants, hotels and fine wine stores in 2016 (while it lasts). Perrier-Jouët’s is the signature champagne of One & Only Resorts Hayman Island and QT Hotels nationally, as well as Australian restaurants Icebergs Dining Room + Bar, Guillaume, Café Sydney, and Vue De Monde. ...

Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has agreed to include calorie content in the labelling of its wines. While a number of beer companies, such as Lion, have similarly committed in recent months to being more transparent in the labelling of their products, TWE will be the first wine company to follow the trend. The company says it hopes the inclusion, which will feature across its entire portfolio of bottled wine, will help consumers to make ...

An exporter of Australian wine labelled as pinot grigio that was in fact three other grape varieties, has been stripped of its export licence by the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA). Dal Broi Wines (DBW), parent company of Griffith-based Southern Estate Wines, failed to win a stay application against the licence cancellation, which the company said had already cost it a contract with US drinks giant Constellation Brands. Dal ...