WINEPRESS Issue No. 206 / August 2011
Photo: Jim Tannock
The Official Magazine of
www.wine-marlborough.co.nz
THE WAIT IS OVER! 2011 MARLBOROUGH CELLAR DOOR MYSTERY SHOPPER RESULTS ANNOUNCED For the 5th consecutive year Wine Marlborough has tasked an independent mystery shopping business (Customer Care Ltd) to visit the region’s cellar doors in an effort to appraise the standard of service that visitors to our wineries receive. With over 15,000 people expected to travel through Marlborough during the Rugby World Cup it’s fundamental that our Cellar Door standards are of the highest quality and of a world class standard. In new moves for 2011 Wine Marlborough gave the regions 44 Cellar Doors the option of being ‘mystery shopped’ and replaced the ‘Supreme Cellar Door’ award with the new ‘Highly Commended Cellar Door People’ award. Of those Cellar Doors who participated in the ‘2011 Cellar Door Mystery Shop’ 71% achieved a Gold standard with an overall group performance of 89% which indicates the Cellar Doors are doing a stellar effort - not only showcasing our elite Marlborough wines but showcasing the Marlborough wine region. Gold Category for 2011: (Scoring 90% or more) • Allan Scott Wines • Auntsfield Estate • Bouldevines Wines • Brancott Estate Winery • Clos Henri Vineyard • Cloudy Bay • Forrest Estate • Gibson Bridge Wines • Hunter’s Wines • Nautilus Estate • No 1 Family Estate • Spy Valley Wines • Villa Maria Estate • Wither Hills • Yealands Estate Highly Commended Cellar Door People for 2011: • Jan Whillans - Auntsfield Estate • Jo Trotter - Forrest Estate Wine Marlborough believe all the cellar doors listed are on the ‘must visit list’ for Marlborough. Make sure you pick up your free copy of the Marlborough Wine Trail Map from the Wine Marlborough office or any Marlborough i-site.
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!
In this issue... Regulars
Features
3
8
6
Editorial
Tasman Crop Met Report
34 Wine Happenings News From Home and 35 Away
All correspondence including advertising / associate memberships / change of address to: Wine Marlborough PO Box 511, Blenheim 7240 T: 03 577 9299, F: 03 577 9298 E: admin@wine-marlborough.co.nz www.wine-marlborough.co.nz
Printed by: Blenheim Print Ltd. T: 03 578 1322 WINEPRESS is printed with vegetable oil based inks on elemental chlorine free paper which is sourced 100% from well managed forrests and manufactured under ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.
14
22
24
New Zealand Winegrower’s Exporter’s Forum
We look at some of our major markets and how Marlborough along with New Zealand is faring in them. Plus some tips on getting your wines into China and the US – both very tough markets to crack.
p11
Winepress Celebrates 20 Years
In August 1991, the very first edition of Winepress came off the photocopying machine, (there were no fancy printing presses for us back then.) This month we celebrate 20 years of providing information, research, news and even gossip, with a quick look back over the past two decades.
You Can Control Powdery Mildew
p16
It can be devastating for a grower to suddenly realise that powdery mildew has taken over in the vineyard. But according to Dr Peter Magerey you can control this fungal disease – by working in advance.
Silver Secateurs and Markhams’ Young Viticulturist
It was a full on day for the contestants in both the Silver Secateurs and the Young Viticulturist of the Year. We have the final results and a photo gallery of the day.
p26
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
1
Outstanding In OurIn Field Outstanding Our
Check out our
“Plants Available” online at:
www.ormondnurseries.co.nz Now taking Grafted Grapevine orders for 2012 supply. Office: 03 5776354 148 Rowley Crescent, Grovetown, Blenheim 7202 www.ormondnurseries.co.nz office@ormondnurseries.co.nz
Check out our
2
|
“Plants 08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Field
Produced by:
From the Editor
Wine Marlborough Free to all levy paying members Associate Members: $77 +GST Editor: Tessa Nicholson 16 Bank Street Blenheim
Welcome to the 20th anniversary issue of Winepress. It was in August, back in 1991 that the very first copy of Winepress was sent out to the then small group of grape growers here in Marlborough. It wasn’t alone in terms of regional newsletters – but it is now by far the most successful – in terms of longevity. No other wine industry magazine, produced here in New Zealand can beat Winepress for continuity – with the exception of Cuisine, which is older by about four years.
T: 021 709 571
An awful lot of the credit for that has to go to the original editor, David Barnsley, who
E: tessa.nicholson@me.com
set up the “newsletter” and over the years developed it into a must-read magazine.
If you wish to make contact with any member of the Wine Marlborough Board, the following are their email addresses. Dominic Pecchenino: nzyanks@xtra.co.nz
Personally I am incredibly proud to be associated with it, but I am also proud to be playing a role within the highly successful Marlborough wine industry. There are however some other people who need to be thanked in this the 20th anniversary. They are the loyal band of advertisers, who have stuck with the magazine through good times and bad. What I find most humbling is that the companies that were there at the beginning when David was establishing Winepress, are still major advertisers today. The first three
Anna Flowerday: ajflowerday@xtra.co.nz
businesses who agreed to David’s cajoling, were David Rose Contracting, Cuddon’s
Blair Gibbs: blair@spyvalley.co.nz
Fruitfed became a major sponsor very early on in the piece, and all four ensured the
James Jones: james@starborough.co.nz
When looking back at those early editions, I noticed David imploring readers to
Ivan Sutherland: ivan@dogpoint.co.nz
Winepress would not be still going strong after 20 years if the industries that support
Ben Glover: ben@witherhills.co.nz Peter McLeod: peter.mcleod@pernod-ricard-nz.com
Engineering and Ormond Nursery. magazine had the finances to continue month by month. support those that supported the magazine. I can’t help but agree. you as growers or winemakers, hadn’t put their money where their mouth is. I can’t thank them enough and would like to give my personal thanks to John Cuddon, David Rose, Ben Wickham and the team from Fruitfed, who have stuck by us for 20 years. And to everyone else who has been a part of the magazine during that time. So 20 years down – here’s hoping someone will be writing a similar editorial in 2031!
Ruud Maasdam: ruud@staetelandt.co.nz Clive Jones: cjones@nautilusestate.com Richard Rose: kvl@silkweb.net.nz Guy Lissaman: glissaman@xtra.co.nz
TESSA NICHOLSON tessa.nicholson@me.com
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
3
For Expert Viticultural Property Advice
ALEXANDER HAYWARD LTD Registered Valuers, Property Consultants, Arbitrators Specialising in all aspects of Vineyard and Winery Valuation, Including Specialist Plant and Machinery Contact: Dave Stark Lex Hayward
B Ag Com, FNZIV, FNZPI Dip VFM, FNZPI, AAMINZ
Experienced in all South Island Wine growing Regions
Ph 03 5789776
Fax 03 5782806
Level 1, 20 Market St, BLENHEIM email valuations@alexhayward.co.nz
Are you using your irrigation efficiently and effectively? • Options to suit all Vineyard situations - Technician weekly visit using Neutron Probe technology - Sentek range of continual monitoring probes: the most sophisticated on the market with either manual or wireless upload options • The only provider who gives recommendations and Agronomic advice in addition to the data • Complies with SWNZ monitoring requirements
Fruition Horticulture is the largest provider of soil moisture monitoring and irrigation scheduling solutions in Marlborough, specialising in this service since the 1980s.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Jim Mercer M: 027 484 0151 A/H: 03 572 7533 jimmercer@fruition.net.nz www.fruition.net.nz
4
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Congrats Winepress Hamish Young – Chairman of
that was widely read amongst the wine
20 years of success, an achievement
Marlborough Grape Growers 1991
industry. Growing grapes, making
that needs to be acknowledged and
Like many farming organisations the
wine and ultimately being successful in
celebrated. So I ask you to raise your
Marlborough Grape Growers Association
the marketing of the product is about
glass to David Barnsley and Tessa
was started by a group of mostly farmers
promoting the region.
Nicholson. Winepress: Happy 20th, a well
who grew grapes for a living. We were all novices to a new industry and were keen to gain knowledge and promote our region and product. The arrival on the committee of David Barnsley was in many ways a breath of fresh air, he bought with him not only his Welsh humour and cynicism but also a specialisation in the teaching of English and the ability to write. As Chairman of the Association and as there were no other volunteers, I had attempted to produce a newsletter; a few editions were published with the help of the then fledgling Research Centre, but it was a struggle to balance growing grapes, industry promotion and family. I recall after one newsletter where I had included a short poem I had written about grape harvesting, being approached by David who told me my punctuation was non-existent, my spelling not much better and my ”iambic pentameter” did not rhyme. I immediately asked him if he was interested in producing the newsletter, if so I would put his name forward to the committee, luckily he agreed. The committee had no hesitation in the appointment. David immediately began the production of the newsletter, he coined the name, “Winepress”. Over the next few years we became the envy of all the other wine areas with a very professional publication
Dominic Pecchenino – Chairman Marlborough Winegrowers
deserved milestone. Salute
I arrived in Blenheim in February 1994
Philip Gregan, CEO New Zealand
and was first introduced to Winepress
Winegrowers
shortly thereafter. My first impression
Congratulations Winepress! Twenty years
was what a great service and vehicle to
of recording, reporting, analysing and
communicate with the grape growers in
commenting is a singular achievement.
Marlborough. To have the foresight to
Twenty years at the very heart of the
publish an industry publication such as
Marlborough wine industry, through the
Winepress was a great vision for such
many ups and the odd down.
a young and relatively small industry
At the time of the first issue, the
at the time. I would like to congratulate
Marlborough wine industry was a mere
David Barnsley for his vision, diligence,
shadow of its current manifestation.
perseverance, and endless hours
Divide every number you know by 10 or
needed to get Winepress off the ground.
more and that would probably overstate
Individuals such as David are true
the size of the Marlborough grape and
pioneers in the establishment of excellent
wine sector back then.
services that we now take for granted
Winepress has been there ever since,
and expect.
reflecting the vision, the hard work and
David was editor for the first 13 years of
the challenges growers and wineries
Winepress when it was predominately a
have overcome. Winepress has
grape grower’s magazine. When David
documented the growth in the industry,
stepped down, Tessa Nicholson took
indeed has been part of that growth,
over as editor. Under the guidance and
but has never been afraid to add an
vision of Tessa and the Marlborough Wine
independent voice.
Growers Board of Trustees Winepress
All the very best for the next twenty
has become a leading publication for the
years. If is anything like the past twenty,
entire wine industry and has expanded
Winepress will have a lot of success to
into a quality magazine with a broad
report on, and the occasional challenge
readership both within and outside of
as well.
Marlborough. I would like to congratulate Winepress and our two outstanding Editors on
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
5
Met Report Table 1: Blenheim Weather Data – July 2011 July July Period 2011 LTA of LTA
July 2011 compared to LTA
July 2010
GDD’s for month -Max/Min¹ GDD’s for month – Mean²
5.1 18.1
10.0 22.6
(1996-200) (1996-2010)
-4.9 -4.5
1.8 15.2
Mean Maximum (°C) Mean Minimum (°C) Mean Temp (°C) Mean Temp (°C)
13.1 2.5 7.8 7.8
12.4 1.5 7.2 7.8
(1932-1980) (1932-1980) (1932-2000) (1986-2010)
+0.7°C +1.0°C +0.6°C Equal
13.0 2.3 7.7 7.7
Ground Frosts (<= -1.0°C) 18
19.0 14.9
(1932-1980) (1986-2010)
1 fewer 3.1 more
17
Air Frosts (<0.0°C) 7
12.4 7.6
(1932-1980) (1986-2010)
5.4 fewer 0.6 fewer
6
Sunshine hours 176.1 Sunshine hours – lowest Sunshine hours – highest Sunshine hours total – 2011 1305.9
158 119.6 230.8 1368
(1930-2000) 1996 1952 (1930-2000)
111%
164.7
99%
1315.6
Rainfall (mm) 40.6 Rainfall (mm) – lowest Rainfall (mm) – highest Rainfall total (mm) – 2011 372.4
66 9.9 174.1 382
(1930-2000) 1930 1998 (1930-2000)
62%
57.6
97%
466.6
Evapotranspiration – mm
52.9
32.6
(1996-2010)
162%
38.4
Avg. Daily Windrun (km)
249.6
231.2
(1996-2010)
108%
196.9
Mean soil temp – 10cm
4.6
4.8
(1986-2010)
-0.2°C
5.4
Mean soil temp – 30cm
6.7
7.0
(1986-2010)
-0.3°C
7.4
¹GDD’s Max/Min are calculated from absolute daily maximum and minimum temperatures ²GDD’s Mean are calculated from average hourly temperatures Temperature and Frosts The mean temperature of 7.8°C was 0.6°C above the long-term average temperature (1932-2000) for July of 7.2°C. However, the mean of 7.8°C was equal to the long-term average recorded over the 25 years 1986-2010. As detailed in previous Met Report articles, this highlights the warmer winter temperatures that Blenheim has experienced over the past 25 years compared to earlier in the 20th century. This warmer winter trend is also shown in figures 1 and 2 for numbers of ground frosts. The average temperature for the
6
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
seven months January to July 2011, for Blenheim was 13.7°C; equal to the average recorded for the first seven months of 2010. Both 2010 and 2011 recorded the warmest first seven months of the year since 1999. Tuesday 26 July 2011 recorded a ground frost (grass minimum) of -8.3°C at the Grovetown Park weather station. This is the coldest ground frost on record for Blenheim for the 40 year period 1972-2011. The minimum air temperature recorded on the same day was -3.1°C, the lowest recorded since 2004. The old Meteorological Service
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
publication “Summaries of Climatological Observations to 1980” summarises Blenheim’s weather for the period 19301980. It does show that colder ground frosts were recorded during this period. However, ground frost records are not available in electronic form prior to 1972, to enable a search of the specific dates. Weather data records for Blenheim prior to 1986 are held by NIWA and the earlier records have presumably not been entered into a digital format from the manually recorded paper records. At the Dashwood weather station in the Awatere Valley the ground frost was -9.0°C and the air frost was -4.7°C on Tuesday 26 July 2011. Eighteen ground frosts were recorded for July 2011, whereas 17 were recorded for July 2010. The long-term average number for July is 14.8 over the past 25 years (1986-2009); down from an average of 19 over the 49 period 19321980. Seven air frosts were recorded for July 2011, compared to 6 in July 2010. Figure 1 presents the long-term frost record for Blenheim for July and figure 2 is the total number of frosts per annum. Both of these graphs clearly show the declining number of frosts since the 1970s. There is a slight upward trend in the last three years for the number of frosts in July. How long will this upwards trend continue? The long-term average number ground frosts per annum 1932-1980 = 86.1 The long-term average number ground frosts per annum 1986-2010 = 51.9 Despite there being a good number of frosts during July 2011, there were only three days during the month when the maximum daily temperature didn’t make it above 10°C, i.e. July lived up to reputation for Blenheim, with cold mornings followed by bright sunny days. In fact, 13 of the 18 days that recorded
Rainfall July 2011 recorded 40.6 mm rain, or 62% of the long-term average. Blenheim recorded a high rainfall total of 187.6 mm in the late autumn 2011 (April-May); 159 percent of the long-term average of 118 mm. The first two months of winter 2011 (June-July) have recorded 102.2 mm; 83 percent of the long-term average of 123 mm. June-July 2010 recorded 212 mm rain, or more than twice as much as in 2011.
Figure 1: Number of ground frosts in July (1932-2011)
Wind July 2011 recorded 249.6 km average daily wind run, slightly higher than the long-term average of 231.2 km. In contrast July 2010 was very calm, with 196.9 km wind-run. Evapotranspiration I would not normally comment on evapotranspiration in the winter as it is not particularly relevant in relation to plant water use. However, as pan evaporation is no longer recorded, evapotranspiration is the next best measurement. Evapotranspiration for July 2011 at 52.9 mm was a lot higher than in any previous years since 1996; when records began. The average for 1996-2010 is 32.6 mm. High evapotranspiration in July 2011 was driven by lower rainfall, higher solar radiation, higher wind run and lower relative humidity.
Figure 2: Total number of ground frosts per annum (1932-2010)
Rob Agnew Plant & Food Research
ground frosts in July recorded above average sunshine hours. Sunshine July 2011 recorded 176.1 hours sunshine or 111% of the long-term average for July of 158 hours. Total sunshine hours for Blenheim for January to July 2011 are 1305.9, or 99 percent of the long-term average total of 1368 hours. Blenheim recorded 2.1 hours more
sunshine than Nelson and 26.5 hours more than Whakatane in July 2011. This is the fourth month in a row that Blenheim has recorded a higher total than Nelson. However, Nelson is still 32 hours ahead for the year to date, with a total of 1337 hours, compared to Blenheim with 1305 hours. This is a legacy of Nelson having recorded much higher sunshine hours in January and February 2011. Blenheim is also trailing Whakatane by 16.5 hours.
Horticultural Supplies NZ Owned & Operated A MEMBER OF HORTICENTRE GROUP
0800 855 255
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
7
The Australian Market – Not Yet Saturated BY TESSA NICHOLSON
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is the highest selling white wine in Australian. Some may say we have saturated the market – but that’s not the case according to the latest Nielsen Research. At the recent New Zealand Wine
our growth in value, volume and premium
“I believe Sauvignon Blanc still has
Exporter’s Forum, Michael Walton
price point is not as high in Australia as it
enormous potential in the Australian
reviewed the latest Nielsen statistics
is in the UK and US.
market. And the reason for that is,
to come out of our three major export
In the UK, our premium price point is
the areas in which we have won
markets. Of particular interest to
30% higher than the average wine price.
consumers tends to be the youngest
Marlborough, is Australia, especially
In the UK it is a massive 70% higher. In
age group. However the people who
given how much of our product already
Australia however, it is just 20% higher.
tend to consume more volume are the
goes there.
Still not a bad place to be, according
older consumers. So we still have an
While our other markets of UK, US and
to Walton, but there are opportunities to
opportunity of increasing the amount of
New Zealand are all showing concern
improve on that.
bottles of New Zealand wine that older
about the recession, Australia is far less worried. In fact when nearly 7000
%
respondents were asked what three things worried them most at the moment, fuel prices, economy and debt were raised by those in the UK, US and NZ. In Australia, while they were also concerned about petrol and utility bills, the other major concern was getting a proper work/ life balance. Sixty-seven per cent of those in Australia said they believed they had good job prospects if they wished to find a new career. Compare that with 16% in the UK and 29% in the US. So Australia may very well be the land of opportunity and prosperity at the moment, which means it is a very good market for New Zealand to be pushing its wine. However current trends show
8
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
virtually all the retailer brand competition is currently in the sub $10 price range, with some in the $10 - $15. “There is free space above $15 and free space above $20. That is the big distinction.” One area New Zealand could work in, is the daily deal websites, which have yet to take off in Australia the way they have in New Zealand. “Wine has not been targeted for daily deal websites, where you get pinged with a deal and you buy on the day. These are phenomenally growing parts of the
Figure 2
market place. Take advantage of that.”
Figure 3
have dropped. Once
Monty James, NZW’s marketing
you begin dissecting
manager in Australia, said while only
the prices being paid
9% of Australian retail is sold online, the
for retailer brands,
average price is 25% higher than wine
versus New Zealand
being sold via any other channel.
bottle wine, things do
“The channel suits younger consumers.
appear better he said.
It is right for New Zealand wine, as there
(See figure 2.)
are more opportunities to tell your brand
“So have you taken
story, particularly on-line, to get copy,
a mammoth price
photos, interaction via social media and
reduction? Not really.
more opportunities to have a diverse
You have taken a bit
range direct.”
over all, but if you look
While it is very worth while looking at,
at the disparity between
James said be aware that the big guys
those retailer brands
are playing in this field as well.
and your brands, the
“Your opportunities with the majors, may
gap is still hugely wide. To be clear the
be different with direct channels than they
age groups buy and latching them onto
retailer controlled brands, like Coles or
are with bricks and mortar channels. So
the New Zealand story, particularly the
Woolworths are predominantly selling sub
if you are working with them, ask about
Sauvignon Blanc story.”
$10. That is what is bringing your price
opportunities on-line.”
Research shows that since 2002,
down. Branded prices are holding very
Given the sweet spot for New Zealand
New Zealand bottled wine sales in
well.”
wine is in the $15 - $20 and above, the
Australia have risen from a retail value
Breaking the Australian market down into
following Nielsen figures show how we
of $25 million, to $250 million last year.
price brackets, Walton said the sub $10
are currently doing.
However retailer brands make up a huge
market has grown, the $10 - $15 bracket
The graph (Figure 3) represents red
percentage of that growth – more than
grew and has now stabilised, the $15 -
and white wine share. In the $15 - $20
60% in the past 12 months. With the
$20 has done the same and the over $20
category, New Zealand’s market share
increase in retailer brands – price points
market is continuing to grow. In essence,
is nearly 37% of all sales. However
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
9
Figure 4
$15 and $20 is now a
In the over $30 category, the growth for
battle of the brands. You
Sauvignon Blanc is stronger, but James
are competing against
said it is with established brands only.
your neighbour, more so
“It is very, very difficult if you are not
than competing against
an established brand to be selling
an Australian brand.”
Sauvignon Blanc at above $30 in the
There are however some
market right now. Pinot Gris though has
very real opportunities for
had fantastic growth – 52%. I know we
Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir
always used to say that it was starting
so long as you can make
from a low base, but now Pinot Gris over
money in that price range.
$20 is starting to become a mainstream
In the over $20 category
variety for Australia. So if you are selling
(Figure 4), New Zealand
Pinot Gris into Australia, be excited.”
has had 26% growth and
On one final note – Chardonnay is back
now holds 12% of the
in Australia – in the higher price bracket
market share in this price
of over $20 there has been 19% growth.
range.
“What’s driving this renaissance is the
“So the next time the
refinement of the style, the lighter, less
distributor turns round to you and says
heavily oaked and cool climate sourced.
James warns that there is little room for
the market is only interested in cheap
Chardonnays. So if you produce one of
expansion in this category.
Kiwi wine, email them this slide.”
those, again be excited.”
“Sauvignon Blanc has reached a point
James said the opportunities for red wine
at the $15 - $20 mark where it can’t grow
in this category are extremely high. Pinot
much any more. I think the comment
Noir has seen a 13% value growth, while
about selling Sauvignon Blanc between
Sauvignon Blanc has grown 7%.
Your Vineyard Neutral Solution Winery Accommodation Rates Evening Dining • Functions • Brand Promotion Personalised Wine Matched Dinners
Marlborough Vintners Hotel 190 Rapaura Road Marlborough jennifer@mvh.co.nz 0800 MVH 190
10
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Two Tough Markets – China and the US BY TESSA NICHOLSON
Both China and the US have the potential to become our biggest export markets. But both are hard eggs to crack. The US because of the three tier system (and the dollar) and China because of multiple unknowns. At the recent NZW Exporter’s Forum, both markets were dissected and examined, in terms of potential and pitfalls. In the case of China, Fongyee Walker, owner of DragonPhoenix Wine Consultants, said with 4 billion people, the potential is massive. But despite grape wine being referred to in ancient literature as far back as 8BC, it is still a relatively unknown alcoholic beverage with the vast majority. Back in 2001 tax on imported wines dropped from over 300% to around the current 48%. In New Zealand’s case that will drop to 0% next year, thanks to a free trade agreement between the two countries. However it is not price that impacts on the growth of wine sales. It is a lack of knowledge and the refusal of certain sectors of the population to move away from more traditional forms of alcohol. Fongyee’s Wine Consultancy business is doing all it can to change that perspective but she says they are doing it alone – given there are no other wine educational businesses registered in the whole of China. So who is drinking wine? She said there are almost no wine drinkers over the age of 65. The 45 – 65 may drink occasionally, but most prefer traditional beverages. Below 45, there is an
increasing awareness of wine – but these drinkers tend to be more inclined to drink French wine. It is the under 25s that New Zealand should be targeting – for a number of reasons. “These are the new generation – they are a single child, indulged and they want to be westernised and seen as being fashionable. They have overseas experience and are demanding more luxury goods. In China, wine is seen as a luxury product. “There is a backlash against Chinese spirits, particularly amongst women. It is now viewed as an older generational drink. Wine is being drunk more by women and don’t forget that in China, women are a substantial proportion of business people. There is a growing demand for on-trade without food. But there is a huge need for education. People are dying to know about wine, but it is difficult, confusing, it is couched in a language they are not familiar with.” That educational factor is something that cannot be underestimated she said. There is a burning desire among the younger generation to find out as much as they can about wine – and people are more than willing to pay for that education. Given China is not open to Western social media, Fongyee
Fongyee Walker said promoting your wines on Youtube or twitter cannot help promote them in China. Fongyee herself had uploaded to the Chinese equivalent of Youtube a short film she had taken at Felton Road winery. She was amazed at the number of hits and the positive comments it received. It is a potential marketing tool for New Zealand wine companies she said, so long as they ensure it is written in correct Chinese. “No other wine country or company apart from one French company is actually awake to it yet. But the idea is to get out there, create a buzz and get people passing it on. It fits well, because the market New Zealand is aiming for is very on-line.”
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
11
While a lot of people in China are drinking wine, 80% of that is domestic wine, which is being produced very cheaply. Frighteningly, 50% of the total wine imports into China are in bulk, which is being mixed with Chinese wines and selling for around �50 cents a litre. “This is what a lot of people associate with wine, and I will tell you something – it is not very nice wine. That is a big problem. A lot of people drink wine, not because they like it, but because they feel they should. They don’t particularly like the taste, because the taste of these wines is not very good.” As for the market itself – that is a major issue for exporters. Fongyee said more than 50% of imported wine goes into three tier one cities. But the potential outside those major three is enormous. A recent publication measuring disposable income in China showed that the major cities of Shanghai and Beijing weren’t as high up that disposable ladder as many had thought. City (2010) GDP per
Per capita disposable
capita (RMB) income (RMB) Shenzhen
92,771
28,838
Shanghai
77,556
28,837
Guangzhou 88,834
28,266
Wenzhou
32,595
28,021
Hangzhou
70,832
26,864
Beijing
68,788
26,738
Suzhou
117,200
26,320
Dongguan
56,591
25,320
Tianjin
55,473
21,402
Wuxi
73,053
17,175
“There are many cities like Guangzhou and Hangzhou that have very exciting markets. These are places people go on holiday, they are in a good mood and the people are wealthy. They have as much to spend as the people in Beijing. This is a very interesting development. The growth model is very much in the second tier city. Tier one is becoming incredibly over populated, with wine importers, wine clubs, wine shops. You should consider just going straight to tier two.
12
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
Not everyone needs to be or should be in Beijing or Shanghai.” Whether you should concentrate on inland or a coastal market, is another area to be considered by exporters Fongyee said. “It is growing faster in inland China, where I do a lot of my work, in the second tier cities. However it is true that the more sophisticated consumer is on the coast. So if you have a mainly white portfolio, I would suggest you go for the coastal cities. If you have a more heavily red portfolio, that would definitely suit going for more of the inland cities – it would give you more of a future.” Bear in mind also that the financial growth of the population is on the increase. Within a decade it is estimated the people living in the top 10 cities in China will have the same spending power as a European city dweller. “That is quite considerable. We are not there yet, but to be in this market you have to be there for the future. If you go in and show commitment and education, you can be there when these people in the middle and upper classes have a lot of money.” There were a few other pearls of wisdom regarding the Chinese market. Fongyee said if you are aiming at the traditionalist market – then bottle in cork “Not so important for the non traditionalist. Young kids, when you show them a screw cap and explain it, they totally get it. “ Take with you lots of little gifts, as gifting is vital in the Chinese market. Packaging is everything – preferably in the bright colours of red and gold which mean good luck and prosperity. English words are extremely hard for Chinese to understand. Fongyee said it is important to remember that for most people wine is meant to be red. White is not as well known, and rosé just totally confuses. Translation of your label is absolutely vital. “You must go into China with a united policy of how to translate your region,
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
and your grape. Because if you write it in English, there will total zero recall. Work with your importer on your back label. You now have to translate what is on your current back label – so make sure it is translated well. Get it independently checked. Media is something you can work on. There is a plethora of wine magazines in China. They are keen to talk, but as most have a low knowledge of wine, they appreciate pictures, stories, DVDs. Help them, educate them and they will help pass the message on.”
Chuck Hayward American Market Education was very much the key word at the Exporter’s Forum. While Fongyee couldn’t stress the need for it strongly enough – Chuck Hayward from the US was also pushing the topic. Chuck who is the New Zealand and Australian wine buyer for JJ Buckley in California has long been a convert to our wines. For the past 20 years he has been promoting them. What began as a clear point of difference between his original employer The Jug Store , and other outlets who were selling European and US wines, has moved into a long term passion. “We found some Aussie importers who were selling us $20 and $30 wines that were like Wow. We decided to start importing to be different. Some of these boutique importers that were bringing in these smaller production, high end Aussie wines also had some Kiwi wines in there. So we said, ‘Oh what the hell, let’s sell Kiwi wines too.’” Chuck began his 20-year learning
experience, trying to find out as much as he could about New Zealand as a wine producing country, its regions and wine companies. That learning has never stopped. These days while he is probably one of the most knowledgeable American buyers, he said there is a great need for the industry to begin educating others. Just turning up to a retailer with your wines and marketing spiel isn’t enough. “To sell fine wine it requires you to touch the retailer. You must be the librarian for the New Zealand industry, not just your own wines. Use maps, wine-making techniques, history of the land before it was used to grow grapes. People want to learn about those things. Basically, what I learn as a retailer, I can pass on to the consumer – so if I don’t know anything – I am unlikely to be able to sell your wine.” Chuck said the information available in the US about our wines is very little. So he recommended anyone travelling to the US, should carry copies of Michael Coopers Wine Atlas, photo copies of regional reviews, such as those from Gourmet Traveller or Cuisine, regional maps and marketing material from New Zealand Winegrowers. “You also need to get out and visit your region and the whole of New Zealand. You need to learn about the uniqueness of every region because you need to educate the sales staff firstly on New Zealand, then your region and finally your brand – in that order.” The American Wine Consumer The consumption of table wine in America is ever increasing, and has been doing so for the past 18 years. Nielsen figures show 276 million cases of wine were consumed in America in 2010. That increase in wine has been at the detriment of beer and spirits. And while there is still a massive number of Americans who do not touch alcohol, there are estimated to be 77 million who drink wine – 57% of those are what are termed as core wine drinkers – they drink wine daily or at least once a week. This
percentage makes up 91% of the wine volume consumed. Baby boomers (aged 45 – 65) are the largest single group of wine consumers, making up 39% of wine volume. In other words, four out of every 10 bottles of wine drunk, are drunk by this group. Generation X (aged 35 – 46) drink 23% of America’s wine volume. Their consumption is growing steadily, as in other markets, as they age, they are tending more towards wine. The other group that everyone talks about is the Millenials (aged 17 – 34) – which is the second largest population group in America, totalling 70 million, with 16 million of those yet to reach legal drinking age. Six per-cent drink wine daily, 26% several times a week, and 19% are drinking wine at least once a week. In terms of marketing, it appears the Generation X and the Millenials are the ones New Zealand should be targeting. – they are the driving growth within the marketplace. A survey of 5,500 wine drinkers, by Wine Opinions, a lead provider of wine research in the US, showed up some interesting trends. Those surveyed were asked it they had changed how much they spent on wine in the past 12 months. Understandably there has been a trading down, with more respondents saying they were buying wine costing more than $20, less frequently now. The big trend was to wines worth $10 to $15. Again the staying in rather than going out trend was apparent, with a large percentage of wine consumption, happening in the home. Following on from that result, Wine Opinions asked respondents how they drank wine at home. Was it with a meal, while preparing a meal, with snacks or just as a drink with friends. More than half said they drank at casual get togethers – which could be an important tool in any future marketing campaign. When Wine Opinions questioned 350 trade members, (distributors, importers, retailers and the hospitality/restaurant segment) the questions were slightly
different. What is important to New Zealand though and Marlborough in particular, is how this segment found the value and quality of both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir when compared with wine from other producing nations. In terms of the quality of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc priced under $20, 43% of respondents said it was excellent value, while 38% said it was good. This compared with say Chile at 16% excellent, and 47% good. When it came to value of the same wines, Chile replaced New Zealand in the excellent rating, with 43%, (NZ 25%). So maybe some work is required to promote our value for money – given the quality parameters are already there. In terms of Pinot Noir – the same questions were asked; How do you rate the quality of New Zealand Pinot Noir selling between $20 and $40, compared with Burgundy, Oregon, Sonoma and Central Coast? While the excellent quality rating was only 16%, (France at the top with 40%) - in the good rating New Zealand had a 47%. In terms of value, only 12% felt New Zealand Pinot Noir was excellent, - with Oregon topping the list with 17%. (Interestingly France’s value in the excellent scales was only 4%.) 37% deemed the value of our Pinots as good, another 37% said they were fair. So maybe some work is required in this area to ensure we are seen as producing high quality, good value wines. Again that may come down to what Chuck was referring to earlier in the story. Education is vital – all producers need to be reading from the same card and promoting the wines from throughout the country, not just their own region or brand. The more the distributor, importer and retailer knows about the styles of New Zealand wines, whether they are Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris, and the regional differences, the better they can promote them. And hopefully increase their value and quality ratings even further.
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
13
Winepress – 20 Years Old Just like the Marlborough wine industry, Winepress had very humble beginnings. No one back in August 1991 could have imagined the magazine they held in their hands would go on to become the longest running wine industry magazine in New Zealand. But 20 years on, Winepress is still going
In my ten years of involvement with the
Showing some things never change,
strong – thanks to the diligence of its
grape industry I have grown grapes for
David also wrote about tax back in
first editor David Barnsley, who took on
Montana, Collards and Hunters. From
August 1991.
the editorialship supposedly for a year.
two of these companies I have a simple
“In a hard hitting chairman’s report at the
Thirteen years later he retired from the
letter assuring me they will purchase my
AGM, Hamish Young pointed out that
job. In those 13 years he covered a wide
grapes while they in turn have a letter
while growers struggle to achieve $300
range of topics, drawing in contributions
from me undertaking to supply them.
a tonne for their grapes the same tonne
from Mike Trought and weather details
With the other company I have a bulky
is worth $1200 to the government in
from Rob Agnew, cartoons from Lois
quasi-legal document which has involved
tax. Montana growers will be well aware
Wisheart, and tantalising pieces of gossip
days of protracted negotiation but which
that the recent Budget forced Montana
from around the region. Growers sent
is apparently no longer binding on the
to make a “downward revision” of their
in news items that might be of interest
company. No prizes for guessing which
offer to growers. The 10cents per litre
to a wider audience, David faithfully
company I have, or is it had, the “legal”
meant $75 a tonne to the company in
paraphrased them. Letters from both
contract with.
tax, so once again the grower carried the
growers and winery bosses kept debate
Conditions have changed and I believe
can. That $75 could have made a great
over pricing alive and well, while National
they have changed to the grower’s
difference to our budget.”
MP Doug Kidd got quite a grilling in an
advantage. As John Belsham remarked
interview regarding excise tax. Over the
at the AGM, contracts are essentially
last few months I have been reading
based on goodwill, if either side loses the
through the original copies of Winepress,
goodwill of the other, that can spell the
(now stored at Brayshaw Park) and have
end of the arrangement. As John pointed
pulled just a few excerpt from those early
out the smaller wineries now control
magazines.
30% of the market and thanks to Vintech
Issue Number 1 – August 1991 Contracts – Who Needs Them? “Not so long ago very few grape growers would contemplate planting a vineyard without a contract. Nowadays increasing numbers of growers are rapidly realising contracts can be more trouble than they are worth.
14
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
they now have access to Marlborough grapes. This fact has widened the market to an extent inconceivable a few years ago when one or two large companies virtually dictated the price of grapes. There is a healthy demand for Marlborough grapes in the market place, although not an equal demand for all varieties.”
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
1992 Grape Pricing for the 1993 vintage. Recommended minimum prices for Marlborough Grapes. Note: NZ Gov’t tax on wine = $1250/ tonne (GST excld).Grape content per bottle varies from 40 cents to $1.20 GRAPE VARIETY Muller Thurgau
$/TONNE 400
Chenin Blanc
400
Gewurztraminer
750
Chardonnay
1200
Riesling
750
Sauvignon Blanc
1000
Pinot Noir
900
1993:
grapes from Marlborough or Nelson,
wineries tend to go for the grape price
Towards 2000 – an excerpt from an
and intending vineyard investors would
first – maybe we are a soft target.
article written by R Goodin, Chairman
also be well advised to develop or
Certainly the Commerce Commission has
of the NZ Grape Grower’s Council at
invest, with sound advice, in areas with
weakened our position but I think there
the time.
proven background.
is probably more the Grape Grower’s Association could do by way of support.
The Future of Marlborough.
1997
Marlborough has only two major
A letter from “A toiling grape grower.”
problems:
“The price of grapes is the bottom line
A. The decline in productivity both in
in our business. All serious growers
In the meantime a concerted effort from each of us to resist any cutbacks would benefit us all.”
terms of tonnage per ha, and quality
are in the business to produce grapes
2001 – 10 year anniversary
through the decimation of phylloxera
to the best of their ability and by doing
An extract from Tim Atkin – The
has to be rectified by re-investment in
so, to make a profit We would be out of
Observer
grafted vines and management.
business if this was not the case and it
“It is Sauvignon Blanc that has made
is something that needs to be defended
New Zealand’s name. The problem with
should be taken into the profitability
more vigorously.
Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc is that however
formula and should be tempered with
If you have uncontracted grapes which
good it is, it is never going to be one
the understanding that grape prices
you are still trying to sell for this vintage
of the world’s most complex wines.
may not increase comparatively
then you probably deserve a rocky ride.
Wherever it is grown, be it Bordeaux or
unless wine sales in volume and price
If you are supplying a winery on a long-
New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc just isn’t
can sustain that position.
term contract and have worked hard to
up to the job.
meet their requirement, then you should
For some time now, Kiwi winemakers
expect to be treated fairly. Any winery
have been asking themselves: What
offering lower prices on the grounds
Next? They’ve flirted with red Bordeaux
that they can buy more fruit cheaply
blends, Chardonnays and sparkling
elsewhere is taking advantage of a
wines, But the hot variety in New Zealand
situation outside the grower’s control and
is Pinot Noir. We Pinotphiles don’t have
which should have no bearing on your
many places to choose from if we want
long-term relationship in the first place.
to secure a decent drop of our favourite
All growers should be questioning any
wine. This is especially true of the New
price reductions and asking wineries to
World. Oregon, California and Australia
justify them rather than simply allowing
have all made a decent fist of growing
them to dictate terms. Without doubt
this most fickle of grapes, but none has
grape prices have risen in the last few
consistently produced wine to rival the
years but so too have quality criteria and
best red Burgundies. New Zealand could
wineries’ expectations. We are growing
and will do. I am more convinced than
a totally different crop to 5 years ago,
ever that Pinot Noir is New Zealand’s best
and I would expect that the per acre
grape.”
B. Escalating land and vineyard prices
Profitability and Values in Marlborough Vineyards – by Neal Ibbotson • Value of grape land and vineyards is continuing to firm, with 8 hectare varietal vineyards selling up to $50,000/ planted hectare. Bare land values are increasing with recent sales of 8 hectare blocks selling at land value of up to $24,000/hectare. • In the space of two years the grape growing industry has seen an amazing turnaround (once again) from over supply to under supply. • 1994 negotiated prices of uncontracted Muller Thurgau are as high as $600/tonne and Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc $2000/tonne. (In 1992 the price for Muller Thurgau was $340/ tonne.) • Yields from Canterbury and Central Otago vineyards would suggest the wine industry in those areas, rather than growing their own grapes, would be better off financially by buying
production costs of most growers would have risen proportionally to per acre
So a wee sample of some of the issues
returns.
that were being raised back in the 1990s.
The price of grapes is only a part of the
Interesting isn’t it, how many of them are
cost of producing a bottle of wine and
still issues today in 2011.
changes to that price have relatively little impact on the overall cost, however
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
15
Founding Editor Looks Back David Barnsley was an English teacher and a grape grower – hence he was considered the perfect editor for the new look newsletter suggested by Marlborough Grape Growers. Prior to 1991, a sporadic newsletter,
Research Centre where they were
and Winemakers: I remember saying at
known as Vinefera had been sent out to
typed and printed, then he individually
the time – If the lamb lies down with the
the small number of grape growers in
packed them into envelopes, placed
lion, it had better keep its eyes open. I
the Marlborough region. But then Chair
address stickers on them and sent them
of Marlborough Grape Growers, Hamish
off to be devoured by the members of
Young, thought there was a need for a
Marlborough Grape Growers.
National MP of the time, Sir Doug Kidd:
more regular form of passing information
Winepress now celebrates its 20th
“I tackled him about the Excise tax but
on. So in August 1991 – Winepress was
birthday and that probably makes it the
he wasn’t going to be shifted. He was a
born.
oldest and longest running wine industry
true politician. Basically he said if you
In that very first issue, David explained
magazine in the country. From a position
want money for hospitals, education
the reasoning behind it.
of editor, on a one-year trial, David
and other things that the state runs,
“In his chairman’s report to the AGM
admits he never imagined, 20 years on
Hamish Young expressed his concern
it would still be part and parcel of the
There was an on-going love-hate
about the Association’s public relations
Marlborough Wine Industry.
relationship between David and wine
effort with the growers. The committee
“It has certainly evolved to what it is now
critic Keith Stewart, who wrote a weekly
recognises that our newsletter as an
– which is hardly recognisable to those
column for the Listener. Admitting that
example has tended to deal with issues
early editions.”
it was the page he always turned to
of the moment rather than information.
During his tenure, Winepress covered a
when the magazine arrived, David
At the last meeting it was recommended
vast array of major issues. The ones that
said Stewart managed to write some
that we consider appointing a person to
stand out to him are;
extremely thought provoking articles, but
take over the responsibility. The position
• The onslaught of phylloxera: “There
not always ones he agreed with. There
was always wary of the companies.” • His first interview – which was with
then you have to make a contribution.”
of “editor” was offered to me and I
was a suspicion it was here, but there
was often a back and forth discussion
accepted on a one year’s trial basis.”
was nothing certain so it was a shock
between the two, much of recorded in
Thirteen years later, due to health
to see it. It was devastating for the
early copies of Winepress. Yet despite
reasons, David stepped down from
industry at that time. Personally we had
all the correspondence, the two never
the editor’s role. During those years
just planted 10 aces of Chardonnay –
actually met.
he cajoled, informed, lambasted, and
they were one year old – and we had to
One of the regular features in the early
pull then all out and start again.”
editions was a cartoon, supplied by
courted controversy on issues relevant to the growing Marlborough wine region.
• Montana Grape pricing: “It was a
Loris Wisheart. Her ability with the pencil
Computers were yet to make their mark in
divisive period and not everyone
and her knowledge of the industry were
everyday life, so David hand wrote every
favoured our (MGGC) approach.”
renowned. Her daughter Prue was also
article, delivered them to the Marlborough
• The amalgamation of Grape Growers
16
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
a stalwart of the magazine, stepping
in to help David when he was out of
On top of that, local stalwarts Rob
involved in the wine industry – but he still
the country, or unable to work due to
Agnew and Mike Trought were regular
watches on with interest.
ill health. It meant the magazine never
contributors. Rob has been supplying
“I never imagined back in 1991 that it
failed to arrive on a monthly basis for 10
weather information for 20 years now,
would get this big and I think it is now too
months of every year.
and Mike was one of the first scientists to
big. There are a lot of places where they
(There were no issues in May and
explain to growers what was happening
are growing grapes that they shouldn’t
January, due to vintage and Christmas.)
in their vineyard and why.
be. Even four or five years ago I thought
Winepress quickly caught on with
Personally David said the favourite part
there was too much planting going on. I
Marlborough growers, with many of them
of the magazine for him, was the ability to
wondered at the time where it would all
providing David with interesting snippets
be controversial.
go.”
of information. Stories from overseas
“I suppose that is my nature and I think
He does however believe the future is
newspapers and magazines would
people like to read controversial articles.”
bright, in the long term, if new markets
regularly arrive on his fax machine, letters
While he would get the occasional irate
can be developed.
from people within New Zealand and
call from a reader dissatisfied with his
And 20 years after he founded
overseas would add to the content and
ideas, he said it was never in a bad way.
Winepress, he still looks forward to
David himself had a penchant for filling
“I did get reaction, yes. But never as
reading it every month.
in the gaps with newsy goings on from
much as I would have hoped for.”
Thanks David – for making it possible!
around Marlborough itself.
Now 20 years on, David is no longer
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
17
TALK TO YOUR DISTRIBUTOR TODAY. Available from selected horticultural distributors. For more information, contact your local horticultural rep or BASF horticultural specialist, Weston Hazelwood, on 06 878 3373 18
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
• Summerfruit
• Kiwifruit
Dual-Action Pristine out performs all others
Grapes Pristine® sets a new benchmark for control of the three main diseases that affect grape production: botrytis, powdery mildew and downy mildew.
Why would you continue to use a fungicide that only does half the job? Pristine® is the fungicide that
combines two exclusive BASF active ingredients – boscalid and F500® for superior, DUAL-ACTION control. With two modes of action, Pristine® provides a built-in resistance strategy and twice the power and performance to increase crop yield and quality. No other fungicide works harder or faster to protect the profitability of your business.
PRG 7/11
• Pipfruit
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
19
The Evolution of Winepress Over 20 years many changes have occurred within Winepress – mostly on the visible cover. The following pictures show how things have changed since 1991. Winepress 2004
Winepress 2000
Winepress 1991 Winepress 2007
20
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
A Wine Show In Marlborough For Marlborough Belinda Jackson is the first to agree – yes this is another wine show – but she says the upcoming Marlborough Wine Show has a major point of difference. It is a show for Marlborough, judged by Marlburians. Belinda who has had vast experience at organising wine shows, including the recent Spiegelau International Wine Competition, says the time is perfect for a Marlborough only event. As the region cements itself in the world’s wine circles with Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, there is a need to show how diverse this region is. “We want to demonstrate to the world’s wine media and markets, that Marlborough offers significant and valuable diversity through its styles and sub-regions.” Sub-regionality has been a much talked about topic in recent months, with many in Marlborough believing more can be done to promote the differences. Instead of people just thinking Marlborough – there is a strong move to bring the individual qualities of the sub-regions Awatere, Southern Valleys and Wairau Plains to the fore. A wine show dedicated to just the Marlborough region, will allow that to happen. All wines entered must be made from 100% Marlborough grapes and from any vintage. Chief Judge is Jeff Clarke with the rest of the judges from Marlborough being, Simon Waghorn, Anna Flowerday, Cath Oates, Olly Masters and Guest International Judge Ben Edwards from Melbourne. Judging will take place here in Blenheim on September 1 and 2. Belinda says they are accepting entries, up until August 12, for one or more of the 20 categories. The Marlborough Wine Competition is sponsored by O-I-New Zealand.
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
21
Powdery Mildew – Early Intervention Vital BY TESSA NICHOLSON
In what had to be one of the most entertaining seminars given in Marlborough, Australian Peter Magarey explained how dealing with powdery mildew early on in the season will help this year’s crop and next years. As infectious as a disease itself, Magarey
lots of cloud. It’s one great hate is ultra
buds. (Not ON infected buds.) These
has years of scientific experience of
violet light.
shoots, known as flagshoots will show
dealing with powdery mildew. Describing
It can be difficult to determine powdery
signs of stunting with leaves curled over.
it as an insidious disease, he said it
mildew at first glance, Magarey said,
“If you find a flagshoot, you can break
is unique when compared with other
given it is quite similar to many others
it off and throw it on the ground, as the
vineyard diseases.
found within vines. He suggested
spores can’t survive on dead tissue.
“It doesn’t require moisture, it grows on
carrying an eyeglass when checking
But tag the site so you can come back
the outside of the leaf surface and it is a
among the vines, and highlighted
and check if any more flagshoots have
green disease, requiring green tissue to
a phone ap, which can help the
appeared.”
thrive on.”
identification process for those out in the
Left unmanaged, the spores from the
Consequently any sign of the disease on
field.
flagshoot will spread incrementally into
foliage or fruit that is removed from the
(the site is growcare.com.au.)
nearby green tissue, such as other
vine, cannot survive – unlike a disease
If there was one point he was adamant
shoots, leaves and berries, with the
like botrytis, which can winter over in
in getting across, it was detecting the
infection period being only about five to
dead cell material.
disease early on, at bud burst. Leave it
six days.
What’s more important, is the disease
any longer and it is harder to control.
“Young buds are most susceptible
is driven by the amount of inoculum
“You need to monitor the vineyard, get
to infection two to three weeks after
inherited from last season. Therefore
out there and look. Know your target,
budburst.”
if you can manage the inoculum this
what you are looking for and look at as
While the fungal spores are spread by
season, you are part way there to
many leaves as you can. Do this early in
wind, they do not travel great distances
preventing an outbreak next year.
the season so you can detect it early, and
with Magarey stating “your vineyard is not
“Early season control is critical. To win the
keep records so you have a history of
affected by your neighbour’s.”
battle, we need to control next season,
where the previous infection areas have
Opening the canopy to more ultra violet
this season.”
been.”
light, pruning, leaf plucking and shoot
While it doesn’t require moisture to
The first signs of powdery mildew will
thinning – are all useful for many other
develop, powdery mildew loves mild
show up in emerging shoots, as the
vineyard diseases, but he said they
temperatures of around 20 to 28°C, with
inoculum is carried over within infected
do not make a massive difference with
22
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
powdery mildew. The most important thing to do is, reduce inoculum reservoirs. “If you have powdery mildew this year, most or all of the inoculum will have come from within a 200 – 300 metre zone of where the disease was not controlled last year.” Which brought Magarey to the all important issue of how do you control it? In Australia he said, it was common practice to focus spraying on either side of flowering. “That’s alright, as it protects the fruit this season, but it doesn’t do much for next year. The result is you need to do it all over again next year and the year after.” Given the infection starts with the buds turning into a flagshoot, which then spreads to the leaves, and in turn to the green berries – the best way to prevent severity later in the season, is to kill the inoculum at or near budburst. “This will prevent or reduce the leaf inoculum and the fruit infection in this year coming.” It also means sprays are more effective, because at the time of control, the inoculum loads are at their lowest level. Magarey then went on to describe how to take control during the lag phase. “Mathematically the lag phase is when you get something that is building up slowly and slowly and then gradually it builds up until you get enough of something to really take off. Powdery mildew is a hard disease to catch if it is running away from you, so we want to stop it in the lag phase.” There is no such thing as an “outbreak” of powdery mildew he said. Instead it is just a case of the inoculum being there and growing incrementally, until the disease is full blown.
Photo - Dion Mundy
The look of powdery mildew once it has hit the leaves. Roughly 40 days from bud burst, (give or
to other shoots, onto leaves and into fruit
take depending on your own individual
– reaching severe proportions.
conditions) the disease incidence
At the end of the season, the disease if
increases. In Australian conditions
not controlled will remain on any green
Magarey said, 80 days after bud burst
tissue, which is the buds on the old
severity increases and then fruit infection
canes not removed. This inoculum will
begins.
winter over, waiting for more green tissue
“The notion is, if we spray the disease
to develop next season.
early in the lag phase, just after the
However if you take control immediately
spores have started growing in the
after budburst, you can prevent any of
vineyard, you can stop leaf and fruit
that continual cycle occurring.
infection this year and do very significant
Magarey said controlling that cycle is as
things in controlling the disease long
easy as spraying thoroughly a couple of
term.”
times early season, three times with two
In summary – the disease begins inside
week intervals – basically at week two,
an infected bud, carried over from
four and six after budburst.
last season. If left it will develop into a leafshoot with spores that can be spread by wind. Those spores will continue to multiply slowly but surely in the right weather conditions of warm temperatures and cloudy skies. The spores will transfer
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
23
Silver Secateurs BY TESSA NICHOLSON
Record entry numbers, freezing cold conditions and a field day that saw Silver Secateurs and Young Viticulturist of the Year combining – made July 22 a day to remember. Winners from Silver Secateurs Novice Tying 1st: Jerome Wilson 2nd Vince Tan 3rd Jeerawat Bupphee Novice Pruning 1st Martin Malessas 2nd Ryan Katip 3rd Evrat Malrurgany Open Tying 1st Rachel Pihema 2nd Rakakao Smiler
Jerome Wilson
Open Pruning 1st Rakakao Smiler 2nd Sam Clay 3rd Paea Lonitenisi
Rachel Pihema
Teams 1st Ara 1 2nd SPLA Contracting Ltd 1 3rd Alapa Contracting 2 Representing Marlborough at the National Silver Secateurs Rachel Pihema Rakakao Smiler Sam Clay Teams Event: Martin Malessas, Ryan Kaitip, Evrat Malrurgany, Ni Vans here in Marlborough as part of RSE, working for Ara Martin Malessas
24
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
Rakakao Smiler
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Alapa Contracting
Douglas Willyan In the Marlborough Contractor’s Association Fun Event: 1st Alapa Viticulture 2nd HKCM Ltd 3rd Marlborough Vine Works
A cold crowd
The winner of the Growers Prize Package: John Wall from Riverstone Terraces. A big thanks to all the sponsors on the day; Gordon Handy Machinery Ltd, Ormond Nursery, The National Bank, WaterForce, Bayleys, Marlborough Viticulture Contractors Association, Bahco, Fruitfed, Gascoigne Wicks, Yealand’s Estate.
The winning team Ara 1, receiving their trophy from Dominic Pecchenino
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
25
Markham’s Marlborough Young Viticulturist BY TESSA NICHOLSON
Six competitors took part in 10 stages at the annual Young Viticulturist of the Year, with 27-year-old James Bowskill taking out the title to represent Marlborough at the Nationals later this month. The contestants were well and truly tested during the competition by a wide range of theoretical and practical activities. They had to satisfy the judges with their knowledge of pests and diseases, plant identification, budgets, trellising, irrigation, vineyard layout and design and safety and health issues. Then each contestant took part in an industry panel review. In the early afternoon they had to face the freezing conditions for the fun part of the competition - Horti Sports. Spurred on by a large crowd of Silver Secateurs’ competitors and contractors, the contestants had to fillet a fish, prune a vine, identify three wines and beers, build a pair of secateurs, and fill a brandy snap with cream, using just a spoon. (Although James managed to blow cream into the brandy snap, via his mouth. Understandably no one wanted to taste it afterwards.) The day concluded with a general
26
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
knowledge buzzer round and a speech presented to a large crowd of supporters and sponsors. For James Bowskill, winning the title was more than he expected going into the competition. But he said on the night, it showed how good the people he had worked with during his career, had been. Graduating from Lincoln in 2004, James first worked for Dominic Pecchenino at Matador Estate, winning the company scholarship that saw him travelling to South Australia and California for consecutive vintages. Since his graduation he has worked for a wide range of companies, some small, some large. “I worked for Stonyridge, which is obviously tiny. Odyssey was tiny too and the companies in the US were small. Then I worked for Villa Maria in Auckland, and later did a vintage with Drylands which was huge. Now I am at Jackson
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Estate, which for me is the perfect medium.” James says his love of the job has grown the longer he has been in it and seven years after graduating he couldn’t think of doing anything else. “I just love that the job changes throughout the year. I love being able to follow something through from being nothing but sunlight and dirt to something incredible in the bottle that you can enjoy.” James will spend the next few weeks studying hard for the Nationals where he will compete against other regional winners for the title of Markham’s New Zealand Viticulturist of the Year, at the Romeo Bragato Conference. Final Placings: 1st James Bowskill – Jackson Estate 2nd Jacqueline Maclaurin – Wither Hills 3rd Matt Duggan - Delegat’s
Jacqueline Maclaurin - 2nd
Matt Duggan - 3rd placegetter
placegettter
Markham’s Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year 2011 – James Bowskill.
YOUNG VITS: From left; Jacqueline Maclaurin, Matt Duggan, Nick Wright, Robert Trought, Libby Rainey and James Bowskill.
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
27
Sauvignon Blanc on the High Seas BY TESSA NICHOLSON
Beaujolais do it, so why not Marlborough? That’s the attitude behind the annual Wineworks Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Yacht Race, which takes place early next month. It doesn’t take centuries for a tradition to
the unveiling after the race.
Sauvignon Blanc – aboard Beviamo
be enshrined, just a few good years and
All the yachts leave from Waikawa
A fun race the week before will give
a quality event. In the case of Beaujolais,
Marina, sail out through Tory Chanel, and
winery staff and yachties a chance to
the traditional race to get the first bottles
straight across to Wellington, arriving at
meet up, prior to a preview tasting of the
of Beaujolais Nouveau into Britain only
the overseas terminal. Once handicaps
new release Sauvignon Blancs.
kicked off in 1972. These days it is a
are taken into account, the winner of
If as a winery you are interested, or as
major charity event.
the race is invited to open his/her box –
a skipper you are keen to take part, full
It is a similar story with the Wineworks
determining the winning wine on the day.
details are available at www.winerace.
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Yacht
Wineries are invited to take part in the
co.nz
race. It began 10 years ago, with the
race, with the cost being $50 plus a case
All wineries that enter will go into a draw
aim of promoting the release of the
of the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc. Last year
for two berths on the luxury yacht Pacific
latest Marlborough vintage into the
22 local wineries took part.
Eagle to travel to Wellington, with the
Wellington market place. Given the Cook
Owners of yachts, with a Category 3
draw taking place on September 4.
Strait divides the two regions, there was
status are also invited to enter, again at a
nothing for it, but to establish a yacht
cost of $50.
race, that would carry the new releases
While promoting the new release wines
across one of the most treacherous
was the aim behind the event, it has also
stretches of water in the world.
been acknowledged by Yachting New
Wine producers are encouraged to hold
Zealand, and included in their Open
back their first release until the race date.
Water race calendar.
They provide the Waikawa Boating Club,
So – who will it be this year? Previous
with a bottle of the latest vintage. That
winners are:
is then securely packaged in a locked,
2010 – Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon
wooden box. Local yachties who have
Blanc – aboard Bavaria
entered the race, are then allocated by
2009 – Summerhouse Marlborough
ballot one of the many boxes. They don’t
Sauvignon Blanc, aboard Bavaria
know whose wine they are carrying, until
2008 – Spy Valley Marlborough
28
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Blenheim Now Has Export Wine Testing Facility BY TESSA NICHOLSON
When rule changes in 2009 meant the ESR in Auckland no longer held exclusive export wine testing rights, Cawthron Institute were quick to realise how gaining their export wine testing accreditation would benefit top of the south winemakers. Given Marlborough produces more
were confident the new lab would be
The Cawthron Institute celebrated its
than two thirds of the country’s wine,
welcomed.”
90th anniversary this year. Established
Cawthron’s recent expansion into
The staff can now provide testing of
in 1921, after an endowment from
Blenheim with a specialised export wine
sugars, alcohol, volatile acidity, sulphur
shipping magnate Thomas Cawthron,
testing laboratory, made perfect sense.
dioxide, total acidity, citric acid and dry
it is owned by a board on behalf of the
All wines being exported to the EU must
extract, for export related testing.
community. As an independent research
undergo taste and analytical testing for
“We have even more flexibility, because
organisation, it has no entitlement to any
composition, prior to receiving export
we are not having to share those
government support, although in recent
certification. That certification lasts for 12
instruments with any other testing
years they have successfully bid for
months only.
capabilities. It means we can be very
government funding for specific research
Cawthron’s customer services manager,
responsive, which is important when
projects.
Augusta van Wijk said they have had
wineries are looking for quick turnaround.
strong relationships with the Marlborough
In addition, we now have the capability to
As Thomas Easterfield Cawthron’s first
wine industry, supplying analytical
process more than 600 wine samples per
Director said in 1917……
services from the lab in Grovetown
month – if required.”
“I FORETELL A BRILLIANT
Park since 2006. However with new
The new service here in Marlborough,
FUTURE FOR THE INSTITUTE.
technology, the addition of technical
compliments the facilities in Nelson,
THE PROBLEMS SOLVED IN IT
staff and a dedicated customer services
which currently employs a staff of 70 in
WILL LEAD TO RESULTS OF THE
support person in Blenheim, they can
the laboratory. The Marlborough Export
GREATEST VALUE TO THIS CITY,
take those services one-step further.
Wine Laboratory will provide additional
TO THE DOMINION AND TO THE
“Over two-thirds of our wine testing
capability, with the two labs working
HUMAN RACE. THE INSTITUTE
samples are coming from the
closely together.
ITSELF IS DESTINED TO BECOME
Marlborough region, so it was logical for
Cawthron is the only laboratory providing
A CENTRE OF LIGHT, LEARNING
Cawthron to invest in testing facilities
Export Certification in the South Island
AND CULTURE HONOURED
that would be closer to the winemakers
and while Marlborough is bound to make
THROUGHOUT THE CIVILISED
of the region,” van Wijk said. “And as
up a large percentage of the usage, van
WORLD, AND A LASTING TRIBUTE
we already had significant support
Wijk said she is expecting a large take up
TO THE MEMORY OF THOMAS
from the Marlborough wine industry, we
from other regions as well.
CAWTHRON.”
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
29
Real Estate
www.pggwre.co.nz
•
•
Large Scale Producing Vineyard
Marlborough
• 259ha of which 97ha (240 acres) canopy
DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY
area • Good water supply and storage • Up to date computerised irrigation scheme • Large four bedroom plus homestead • Production 1100 – 1200t predominately Sauvignon Blanc • Balance of land hill grazing which could be sold off www.pggwre.co.nz ID: BLE1787098
All offers to be submitted to PGG Wrightson Real Estate Blenheim by 4.00pm, Friday, 19th August 2011 Ken McLeod B 03 579 3720 M 027 433 4746 H 05 578 8010
PGG Wrightson Real Estate Ltd, Real Estate Agent, REAA 2008
FROM ONE INDUSTRY FAVOURITE TO ANOTHER - CONGRATULATIONS WINEPRESS.
VITICULTURAL TRACTORS For all types of viticulture applications.
OPEN SATURDAY MORNINGS 29 High Street Renwick, T. 572 8787
30
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
A Decade Worth Celebrating BY TESSA NICHOLSON
It was a celebration in every sense of the word, when French owned Clos Henri celebrated 10 years of wine growing here in Marlborough last month. It was also a chance to raise funds for the Christchurch earthquake Relief Fund. In what was a double celebration, (with Bastille Day only a few days after the event) the “patriarch” of the Bourgeois family, Jean Marie Bourgeois and his son Arnaud flew in from Sancerre in France. The faith the French company has in Marlborough as a fine wine producer cannot be under estimated. With 10 generations of winemaking behind them, the Bourgeois family invested in this region back in 2000, planting their first grapes a year later. Having never invested outside of France in the company’s history, the move to Marlborough followed a 12-year search for a site that would complement their Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume vineyards. At the time Jean-Marie said the company had looked at South Africa, Chile, Argentina and Australia. It was a chance meeting with Hawkes Bay winemaker John Buck that led him to consider New Zealand. Given he wanted to produce Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir that stood up against their French counterparts, he made a decision to purchase land in Marlborough. In an interview back in 2001 he told me, “Everywhere in the world we found good wine. But we want to make what we know. What we have a passion for - Sauvignon
From left: Winemaker Damien Yvon, JeanMarie Bourgeois and French Ambassador Francis Etienne. Blanc and Pinot Noir. There was no option but Marlborough.” In true French style he said; “It was like the search for the perfect woman, we fell in love (with Marlborough.)” Buying a 110 hectare property on SH63, the company has planted out just 40 hectares, built a winery, developed a unique cellar door, (the former church from Ward) and begun making a name for itself as a high quality producer. The 2010 Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc has
just been awarded the best Sauvignon Blanc in the world at the Mondial du Sauvignon Competition. Invited guests, which included the French Ambassador Francis Etienne, were treated to a flight of tastings, that included Marlborough Clos Henri Sauvignon Blanc from 2010, 2009 and 2008, as well as three Domaine Henri Bourgeois wines from 2008, 2005 and 1990. But it wasn’t all about Clos Henri or Henri Bourgeois, with the celebration culminating in a wine auction to raise funds for the Christchurch Earthquake Relief Fund. Jean-Marie said there had been considerable concern expressed by his fellow winemakers in Sancerre, who had been quick to donate their own wines for a charity auction. Ten lots of wine went under the hammer, with the top price being $900 for a lot containing three bottles each of Domain Henri Bourgeois Sancerre Jadis 2002 and Sancerre D’Antan 2002. In total the auction raised $5900 for the relief fund.
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
31
Lex Thomson B.Vit & Oen. is available to assist the winegrower. Services include: • Viticulture consultation. • Vineyard management. • Pest and disease monitoring. • Spray plans. • All record keeping involved in the SWNZ program. • Irrigation audits. • Yield assessments. • Fruit maturity sampling.
Visit our display at 105 Middle Renwick Rd, BLENHEIM Ph: 03 579 4723
Visit www.vitpractice.co.nz for details about our full range of viticulture services. Ph: 021 230 2348. Email: lexthomson@vitpractice.co.nz
™
32
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Pinot at Cloudy Bay BY TESSA NICHOLSON
What began as a celebration where the quality of Marlborough Pinot Noir could be compared with the rest of the world – has now morphed into an iconic annual event. Cloudy Bay winemaker Nick Lane says
a mammoth undertaking, with Nick
Victoria. There were five New Zealand
Pinot at Cloudy Bay emerged onto the
saying he spends months prior to the
wines, two being Cloudy Bay, one from
scene 12 years ago, with the company
event sourcing. This year, in what was
Martinborough, one from Central Otago
aiming to champion the cause of the
described as a hands-on selection
and one from the emerging Waitaki.
region’s wine. Given Marlborough has
process, he visited all the vineyards
Completing the group was a German
been renowned for Sauvignon Blanc, he
whose wines were chosen, tasting them
wine from Baden.
said the aim was to highlight the fact this
with the winemakers and gaining an
All the wines were from the 2008 vintage,
region was not a one wine producer.
insight into the regional variations.
something that caused Nick a few
“Back then the cause of Pinot Noir
The nineteen wines selected came from
headaches.
was just starting to cotton on with wine
specific sub regions – a slight diversion
“It was a very difficult year in France
drinkers. We were known globally for our
from previous years, Nick said.
and here in Marlborough. It made it hard
Sauvignon and we felt we could do the
“All of the Burgundy wines came from the
deciding exactly which wines to choose
same thing with our Pinot.”
often overlooked Commune of Morey-
– not that it was hard finding good wines,
Moving away from a standard tasting of
Saint-Denis. This mirco region does not
it was hard finding which ones were the
only Cloudy Bay’s Pinot, the company
carry the name of heavy weights such
best.”
instigated a tasting of Pinots from
as Vosne-Romanee or Gevrey Chamertin
This was no competition, instead guests
around the world. Cloudy Bay was
but the wines within its boundaries are
got to taste the wines, write notes and
always included in the line-up, along
universally respected.”
listen to a panel of experts discuss the
with some of the best from other New
The North American wines all came
various merits. No one, not even Nick
Zealand regions, America, Australia and
from the Beaver State, two Australian
knew exactly what wines were what on
Burgundy.
wines came from Mornington Peninsula,
the day, removing any pre-conceived
Choosing the wines has always been
one from Tasmania, the other from
ideas throughout the tasting. While Pinot Noir was the focus – the long lunch presented by chef Justin Quek was the icing on the cake. The wines of Pinot at Cloudy Bay 2012
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
33
Wine Happenings A monthly list of events within the Marlborough wine industry. To have your event included in next month’s calendar please email details to tessan@xtra.co.nz
AUGUST 19
Entries for Pinot Noir 2013 close. Details at www.pinotnoir2013.co.nz
25-27
Romeo Bragato Conference. Ellerslie Event Centre, Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland. Including National Silver Secateurs competition and the Markham’s New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year
SEPTEMBER 3
Awards dinner – New Zealand International Wine Show – Crown Plaza Hotel – Auckland
8
Wineworks Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Yacht Race – from Waikawa Bay in Marlborough to Wellington.
25
The Nelson First Fifteen Blind Tasting Competition – plus Degustation Dinner
26
The Nelson First Fifteen tutored tasting
30
Indulge Marlborough – New release Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, combined with gourmet food and fashion show – Marlborough Convention Centre
Hadley & Lyall Ltd VALUERS and PROPERTY CONSULTANTS
OCTOBER 1
Kaikoura Seafest - Kaikoura
6
Marlborough Wine and Cuisine at Brancott Vineyard – details at: www.wine-marlborough.co.nz/
Marlborough’s oldest established valuation practice experienced in vineyards and all property types.
MarlboroughWineandCuisine.htm 28-30
Marlborough Wine Weekend – an iconic and exclusive 3-day event, highlighting the Marlborough Wine industry. More details at www.winemarlborough.co.nz/wineweekend/index.htm
NOVEMBER 6 – 10
The 6th International Specialised Conference on Sustainable Viticulture; Winery Waste and Ecologic Impacts Management – Convention Centre – Blenheim
9 – 11
International Aromatic Wine Competition (Canterbury A&P Show) – Christchurch
12
Air New Zealand Wine Awards dinner – Langham Hotel - Auckland
34
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
For a prompt valuation report at a reasonable rate contact: Hugh Curry Ph. 03 578 0474 hugh.curry@xtra.co.nz 28 George Street, PO Box 65, Blenheim, 7240
News From Home and Away Brancott Heritage Centre The site of the first planting of Sauvignon Blanc in Marlborough, will be home to Brancott Estate’s soon to be opened Heritage Centre. Brancott Vineyard is renowned not only for its historic significance, but also for its beauty. Above the thousands of rows of vines, in what has been colloquially known as Rob’s Knob, is where the Heritage Centre is being built. Fabian Partigliani, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard New Zealand said the new centre will combine the best of what Marlborough and New Zealand has to offer. “A cutting edge New Zealand design integrated into the natural landscape with an elevated majestic view and award-winning signature wines. Utmost care has been taken to honour both the site and our heritage, so that all who visit are left with a unique and memorable experience.” The new centre will boast wine tasting facilities, cellar door, a 40 seat restaurant, meeting spaces and an unrivalled view of the Brancott Vineyard. It is due to be completed to coincide with the kick off to Rugby World Cup 2011 in September. Congrats To Stanley Estates in the Awatere Valley. This relative newcomer to the world of Marlborough Wine has certainly impacted this year, with some stunning wins around the world. At the recent International Wine Challenge in London, Stanley Estate’s Sauvignon Blanc 2010 won four trophies; Best International Sauvignon Blanc, Best New Zealand White Wine, Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and the Marlborough Trophy. This follows on from winning the trophy for Best Sauvignon Blanc at the Sydney Top 100 earlier this year. Marisco Vineyards and China Proving it can be done, Marisco Vineyards has signed an important national distribution agreement to have their wines distributed in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The deal with Tianjin Dynasty International Wine Co, was signed recently and will provide Marisco Vineyard’s two brands, The Ned and The King’s Series a foothold in the all important Asian market. Owner Brent Marris says the first wines to be sold in China will be from the latest 2011 vintage – a vintage he describes as one of the best in Marlborough in a number of years. Spiegelau International Wine Competition A new look and one that impressed judges by all accounts. For the first time, the judges got to taste the wines in specific glasses, as developed by Spiegelau. Jane Skilton MW, one of
the judges raved about the move, in a recent wine column. As for Trophies Marlborough collected six. Champion Sparkling Wine – Daniel Le Brun Non Vintage. Champion Sauvignon Blanc – Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees 2010 Champion Gewurztraminer – Charles Wiffen 2009 Champion Pinot Gris – Red Tussock 2009 Champion Sweet Wine – Forrest Botrytised Riesling 2009 Champion Pinot Noir – Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough 2009 Champion Winery of the Show – first equal – Charles Wiffen, Church Road Saint Clair Family Estate. Pacific Prime Wines First Exports on Their Way This innovative collaboration of five New Zealand wineries, has sent its first shipment to the US, fittingly on Independence Day,
ORGANIC? Is your vineyard organic or are you thinking of going organic? We now have an organic spraying unit and undervine weeder. To discuss your requirements for the upcoming season call: Paul Brown 021 967 351 Craig Martin 021 846 625
P&C Vine Contracting Over 20 years combined experience
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
08/2011 WINEPRESS
|
35
July 4. Director Dave Nicholas says from a standing start in February, Pacific Prime Wines now has distribution networks in seven states. They are in Virginia, Maryland, DC, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington and Indiana with New York, Connecticut and Illinois set to follow. The five companies involved are Lake Chalice Wines Forrest Estate, Carrick Wines, Seifried Estate and just recently Maimai Vineyards from Hakwes Bay has joined the group. Mudhouse receives Top Sommelier Award Mudhouse 2010 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has been awarded the Gastropub Wine Of the Year at the prestigious Sommelier Awards in London. During 1500 tastings, the wine had to beat off 12 other shortlisted wines to take out the title. Judges were looking for a wine that had typicity, food friendliness and versatility. They described the Mudhouse 2010 as “instantly recognisable as Kiwi Sauvignon with its gooseberry/elderflower axis, intense aromas of passion fruit, pink grapefruit, the distinctive crunchy palate and underlying mineral twang.” Romeo Bragato Conference 2011 The annual industry conference is being held in Auckland, from August 25 – 28. The topic this year is Back To Profitability. Given everyone within the industry is hoping for improved profitability, this is one conference that should be top on the agenda. Guest speakers include Ross Colbert, Executive Director and Global Strategist – Beverages – Rabobank New York and Peter McAtamney - Principal Wine Business Solutions in Sydney. Both will discuss what is happening out there in the market place and just what the future holds. There will be a wide range of other subjects discussed as well, from Organic versus Conventional growing – with results from the Organic Focus Vineyard trial in Hawkes Bay through to Bench Marking – How Do I Compare? drawing on results from the annual MAF grower survey and Deloittes winery survey. There is still time to register, details available at www.bragato. org.nz Pinot Noir 2013 We are almost halfway between the last New Zealand Pinot Noir conference and the next one, which is being held over four days, on the Wellington Waterfront from January 28, 2013. One of the directors, MJ Loza told the Exporter’s Forum that there had been a lot of feedback after the last event in 2010, and as a result there would be some major changes to the upcoming event. He said there would be more of a regional
focus, concentrating on Central Otago, Marlborough and the smaller regions of Wairarapa, Waipara, Waitaki and Nelson. The new structure will allow VIPs to taste more wines, while also providing wineries with more contact with those invited guests. 100 of the best New Zealand Pinots will be chosen for the tastings, and entries for this closes on the 19th of this month. Each of the wines will be independently tasted blind, with confirmation of the top 100 made by the end of the month. If you are interested in registering your wine, visit www.pinotnoir2013. co.nz. Marlborough has good representation on the board, with MJ joined by Rachel Jackson-Hoare and Ben Glover.
CLASSIFIEDS VINE GRAFTING Australian vine grafter working in Marlborough later this year. Enquiries 0061 0428233544. See www.brucethegrafter.com
PROVINCIAL COLDSTORES LIMITED LET US TAKE CARE OF ALL YOUR CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE STORAGE REQUIREMENTS IN OUR
CUSTOM CONTROLLED AREA • Over 60,000 cubic metres of storage spread over two sites • Sophisticated monitoring equipment ensures your product is kept at the optimum temperature • We could lease you a small room for your exclusive use to suit your particular temperature requirements • We store bottled wine, barrels of wine, new plants awaiting the opportune time to plant • Individual rooms available which are being used to grow new budwood
Old Renwick Road, Blenheim. Tel: 03 5782648 Fax: 03 5782546 Gouland Road, Spring Creek. Tel: 03 5705944 Fax 03 5705955
Disclaimer: The views and articles that are expressed and appear in Winepress are those entirely those of contributors and in no way reflect the policy of the Marlborough Winegrowers. Any advice given, implied or suggested should be considered on its merits, and no responsibility can be taken for problems arising from the use of such information.
36
|
08/2011 WINEPRESS
The Official Magazine of Wine Marlborough
Helen Woodward
Resource Management Consultant
NOW AVAILABLE For all your resource consent applications and monitoring needs ‑ Water - Discharge - Land Use Environmental-soil fertility and contamination testing, water quality testing.
Marlborough’s only Bio-Gro certified contractor • Viticulture Management / Consultancy • Under-vine Weeding • Canopy Spraying • Trimming • Mowing • Mulching • Vine Stripping • Leaf Plucking • Harvesting • Organic Vineyard products Suppliers of Organic Vineyard Posts
For experienced, local, personal service Contact Helen at Phone/fax: 03 579 5669 Mobile: 0272 111154 PO Box 105, Blenheim
McAlpines Roundwood Limited
Suppliers of
Quality Roundwood Contact:
Grant Cathcart Bart Arnst 021 544 842 Paul Taylor 021 703 826
Phone 03 313 8339 Fax 03 313 3767 Mobile 021 511 460
roundwood@mcalpines.co.nz
RELIABILIT Y
y e s t e rd a y, t o d a y a n d n e xt y e a r. .. Consiste nt che mical N o b ac k w a sh application = le s s b loc k ag es Superior coverage at all g rowth stages
P rove n reliability Built to last
Quantum Mist
The Consistent & Reliable Choice The Croplands Quantum Mist is industry recognised for assisting vineyard growing practices. Winner of the WBM Innovation award the Quantum Mist is recognised for extensive contribution to the wine industry over the past 8 years. Caring for the environment and protecting your crop – FOR THE WHOLE SEASON • Reduce your spraying time by at least 40% - all season long (not just at the start of the season)
380mm fan specifically designed for NZ vineyards
Who else can offer you all this? Call today to discuss the award winning Quantum Mist™ Contact: Fruitfed Blenheim 46 Wynen Street, Blenheim Ph: (03) 578 3019
• Reduce your fuel consumption by up to 50% • Control spray drift • 2 & 3 row units available • Effectively monitor chemical use and rates • Independent SCIENTIFIC proof of unsurpassed coverage and protection of your crop
www.croplands.com.au