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Industry News New World Wine Awards One of New Zealand’s largest wine competitions hit the road last month, to host a series of regional judging events. It was the first time in the New World Wine Awards’ 18-year history that judges visited major wine regions to taste more than 1,200 wines. The Marlborough judging was the largest of the four regional events, with well over 400 wines from Marlborough and Nelson assessed on July 22 and 23. Chair of judges Jim Harré says the judging team, made up of 18 independent wine experts from around the country, is delighted to see award entries exceed expectations and hold strong to previous records during such a challenging year for many businesses. “New Zealand’s wine industry is an incredibly important part of our economy, and like so many sectors, it has been working through a difficult period with many unknowns. It is encouraging to see such a significant number of local wineries, as well as many of our regular entrants from Australia and beyond, put their wines forward.” Jim says the shift to regional events allows the judges to experience the distinctive styles and unique characteristics of wines grown in specific areas of the country. “We’ve continued to see big increases in Pinot Gris and Rosé entries in the awards, reflecting consumer demand and increasing production in New Zealand. “Interestingly, just a decade ago, neither of these were high on wineries’ or most wine drinkers’ radars, but both have skyrocketed in popularity since. Pinot Gris is now New Zealand’s third most produced white variety, and the rise of Rosé has experienced double-digit percentage growth in recent years with no signs of stopping.” Stu Marfell. Photo Richard Briggs
may not be released before the election, but whenever they arrive both the NES and NPS will have to be incorporated into the MEP. The Environment Court process, which was already likely to take several years, could be delayed by these changes. Short term changes for temporary work visas, announced by the Government in July, did little to help vintage cellar hands stuck in Marlborough. Wine Marlborough is continuing to provide support and working with the Red Cross to make sure they are aware of the welfare support available. Two webinars in July outlined the challenges wineries will face with recruiting cellar hands for vintage 2021 (pg 10). Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme (RSE) repatriation flights continue to be a trickle rather than a flood and the mood is still cautiously optimistic that winter pruning will be completed on time. The next Marlborough Winegrowers meeting with the Marlborough District Council is on August 25. If you have any issues you want us to raise with council, email Vance Kerslake, advocacy manager, at advocacy@winemarlborough.nz
Winepress Award Winepress magazine has won best magazine in the World of Wine category of the 25th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2020. For the first time since the founding of the awards in 1995, organisers released the list of Best in the World winners before the awards ceremony, because of the impact of Covid-19 on international travel. “We decided that releasing the list now might make hundreds happier in these very difficult times,” says Edouard Cointreau, president and founder of the Gourmand Awards. Second position in the World of Wine magazine category went to the Journal of Wine Economics, in the United States, and third spot to Canada’s LCBO Food & Drink (Liquor Control Board Ontario).
New Zealand Winegrowers Election Key Dates
Wine Marlborough Update VANCE KERSLAKE Changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and new freshwater rules have thrown a spanner in the works for the Marlborough Environment Plan (MEP) appeals process. The Resource Management Amendment Act 2020 made significant changes to the RMA, including a new freshwater planning process. We are also awaiting the release of a new National Environmental Standard (NES) and National Policy Statement (NPS) on freshwater management. These 26 / Winepress August 2020
• Nominations close - Friday August 14, noon • Members advised of all nominated candidates Monday, August 31 • Voting opens - Monday, September 14 • Voting closes -Friday September 25, noon • NZW board meeting -Thursday, October 8 (tbc)
Sydney Comp Cancelled The Sydney International Wine Competition has been cancelled for the first time in its 40 year history, says co-convenor Brett Ling. “We were on track to accept entries from later this month, but the worsening situation in Victoria is likely to see access between states and internationally to New Zealand and beyond severely disrupted.”
