South Australia has joined Sommeliers Australia with the official formation of a SA State Chapter.

The chapter was formed by Louise Radman, James Erskine and a group of other dedicated SA Australian wine enthusiasts who have been conducting regular tastings in Adelaide.

Sommeliers Australia is a not-for-profit hospitality industry organisation that began life in the early 1990s in Victoria and New South Wales as separate associations.

The two associations merged in August 2007 to form a national body, Sommeliers Australia, and formalised a constitution in 2009 with the intention to extend chapters to each Australian state.

Memberships are available and people interested in Sommeliers Australia should visit http://www.sommeliers.com.au

Source: Wine Biz

Many wine-lovers harbour a hidden dream of giving up their day-jobs and moving to one of Australia’s most picturesque wine regions to make a living hand-crafting stunning wines … but with little experience where do you start?

The team at Kirrihill Wines is offering one lucky individual the opportunity to experience the 2010 vintage with them in the Clare Valley.

Becoming part of the hard working vintage team, they will embark on a behind-the-scenes wine adventure, under the guidance of Kirrihill’s winemakers Donna Stephens and Marnie Roberts.

Whether it be the start of a new career path or simply a fun and informative holiday, this fantastic week-long sojourn, open to anyone residing in Australia, will have lots to offer, covering the ins and outs of winemaking including vineyard visits, fruit crushing and pressing, tastings with the winemaking team and learning about fermentation control.

The overall prize includes flights within Australia to Kirrihill in the Clare Valley and accommodation.

Kirrihill Wines winemaker Donna Stephens an experience like this does not happen very often.

“This is someone’s chance to explore their passion for wine and make their dreams come true, no experience necessary,” she said.

“The team are looking forward to welcoming an enthusiastic individual to one of the most beautiful parts of Australia in the New Year.”

To enter, email office@kirrihillwines.com.au with ‘JOIN US FOR VINTAGE’ in the subject line and tell Kirrihill Wines in 100 words or less why you want to share in the Kirrihill vintage experience.

For more information on Kirrihill Wines and this competition visit http://www.kirrihillwines.com.au/

Entries close Monday, January 11, 2010 at 5pm.

The winning entrant must be over 18 and available to work the Kirrihill Wines 2010 vintage for one week during February/March 2010 as nominated by the winemaking team at Kirrihill.

A second experience is available for an existing member of the liquor industry.

If you are an employee of an alcohol retailer and have some knowledge of wine but want to know more, email office@kirrihillwines.com.au with ‘KIRRIHILL TRADE EXPERIENCE’ in the subject line and tell Kirrihill Wines in 100 words or less why you want to share in the Kirrihill vintage experience.

Source: Wine Biz

Sauvignon Blanc may be growing fast in the mainstream market, but according to Corkscore.com, a website where wine lovers track wines as they drink from their mobiles, the grape fails to ignite a love affair with serious wine drinkers.

User ratings on Corkscore.com show Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot are the lowest rated among the major varietals.

“We have often heard in conversations with wine aficionados that Sauvignon Blanc is perceived as a simple, fruit driven and at times one-dimensional wine,” said Corkscore chief executive officer Lars Herold.

“On the positive side, it should be noted that the best Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs do get ratings of up to 92–94 points.”

Corkscore.com is a free service where wine lovers can keep their tasting notes and check wine prices directly when they drink or buy, with mobile, iPhone, SMS, Email and web access.

The company regularly analyses its ratings database to discover emerging trends among its growing base of wine lovers.

Sauvignon Blanc based wines score an average rating of 84.5pts on the 100-point scale, which is 2.6pts below the average Corkscore rating of 87 out of 100.

From the major varietals, only Merlot wines score lower, with an average rating of only 80.3.

Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc also have the highest standard deviation of ratings, which underlines a mixed reception of the varietals among wine enthusiasts.

Visit http://www.corkscore.com/ for more information.

Source: Wine Biz

The Australian wine industry has lost one of its strongest advocates and promoters.

Bernard Stephens died on 7 October leaving an industry he loved almost as much as he did his wife, three children and nine grandchildren.

After a career in South Australia’s Riverland region as a soldier settler and fruit processing manager he joined the SA Wine and Brandy Producers Association in Adelaide in July 1967.

During his tenure as secretary/manager he helped mould the association into a body representing the interests of the SA wine industry at all levels of government interest.

Bernard retired in August 1988 and was appointed a life member in recognition of his contribution to the industry.

While a strong advocate of SA wine, he enjoyed the many opportunities to educate people in Australia’s diverse growing areas and styles.

A friend of many and protagonist of a few, Bernard never lost focus on talking-up Australian wine with humour and conviction.

Source: Wine Biz

Vinpac International has become the principal sponsor of the 14th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference to be held in Adelaide next July.

The conference is held every three years and is a “must attend” event for winemakers, grape growers and other wine industry professionals.

The next conference will be held at the Adelaide Convention Centre from July 3–8, 2010.

Major topics for the 14th AWITC will include “Adapting to climate change and reduced water availability”, “What is needed to take innovation to the next level?” and “Wine – harmful or healthy?”.

Vinpac International General Manager David Hutton says Vinpac is a technically driven business with a strong commitment to improving the quality of Australian wine.

“We are really pleased to support the industry’s drive towards technical excellence,” he said.

“Vinpac is well placed to respond to the technical demands placed on the wine industry in this increasingly competitive global environment and we look forward to working with the AWITC to ensure next year’s conference enables our industry to overcome issues at hand and continue to make world class wines.”

AWITC chairman Professor Sakkie Pretorius commended Vinpac International’s contribution to the Australian wine industry and welcomed their participation as the major conference sponsor.

“As the industry continues to go through challenging times, it is critical that members closely scrutinise their production practices and market themselves in order to make the best use of every opportunity available,” he said.

“Through Vinpac’s support we can present the best program possible and continue to subsidise the attendance of students at this event as they represent the future of this industry.”

For further information about the conference, please contact Kate Beames via email on kate.beames@awitc.com.au

Source: Wine Biz