WineNZ Summer 2019-20

Wine & Time
Sonoma's Kincade Fire Claims
75,000 Acres
What does Wine
research and
development
achieve in
New Zealand?
The largest research and development
effort ever undertaken by the New Zealand
wine industry designed to position New
Zealand as number 1 in the world for high
quality, lower alcohol and lower calorie
wines is underway.
“The lifestyle Wines Programme will raise
New Zealand already strong reputation for
producing some of the world’s finest wines,”
says Justine Gilliland, MPI’s director PGP. “This
is the first wine industry programme under
the PGP, marking not only an exciting time
for the PGP but for our wine industry.
Phillip Gregan, New Zealand’s Wine
Growers CEO, says the programme aims
to capitalise on market-led opportunities
domestically and internationally. “Research
indicates that an increasing proportion
of consumers are making purchasing
decisions around their lifestyle, such as
choosing healthier foods and lower alcohol
wines” he says.
“Our challenge now is not just producing
high quality lower alcohol and lower calorie
wines but producing them naturally-this will
give New Zealand a point of difference and
make New Zealand the “go to” country for
high quality, lower alcohol and lower calorie
wines.
The programme will develop a number of
viticulture and winery tools that will enable
the industry to service the rapidly growing
market for lower calorie and lower alcohol
wines with high quality, naturally-produced
options.
MPI will invest up to NZ$8.13 million in
this PGP programme over seven years,
with $8.84 million coming from industry
partners as a mixture of cash and in-kind
contributions.
With evacuation orders in effect, some vintners know
their properties survived, while other are in the dark.
According to California state agency Cal fire, the
Kincade fire has burned 75,415 acres and is 15
percent contained as of Tuesday morning. At least
123 structures, including Soda Rock Winery and
the home of Jackson Valley Wines’ Julia Jackson,
have been destroyed. The National Weather service
has issued a wind advisory for the region which will
go into effect at noon today; with gusts forecast to
reach 45 to 65 mph, concerns are high that the fire
will continue to spread.
Viva Vino Italiano
Italian wine imports to
New Zealand have
more than doubled
in the past five years
with almost million litres
coming into the country
last
year. Italy is the third
largest exporter of wine
to New Zealand behind
Australia and France.
Vino Italiano
showcased 150 Italian
wines for tasting at
the August 31 event
in Auckland. It was
attended by 16
representatives from
Italian wineries.
Organiser Marco
Nordio, the director of
leading Italian wine
importer Sapori d’ Italia,
says New Zealand is
a nation of discerning
wine drinkers and the
growth and popularity
of Italian wines provides
Kiwi wine lovers with
greater choice.
Italian winemakers
attending Vino Italiano
include Antonio Benanti
of Benanti Winery,
located on the slopes
of Mt Etna in Sicily;
Pio Boffa, owner of
renowned 138-yearold
winery Pio Cesare
in Piedmont, Northern
Italy; and Tuscan
winery Ricasoli which
documents the history
of Chianti Classico.
Sommelier Andrea
Martinisi from The Grove,
who represented New
Zealand for the first time
at an ASI World Best
Sommelier Contest in
Belgium in March, ran
a master class at the
event.
Other master
classes
conducted by:
∞ New Zealand wine
writer, Yvonne Lorkin,
on Kiwi versions of
Italian classics
∞ Angelo Minelli of Wine
Searcher on Metodo
Classico: Franciacorta,
Trento and other
DOCs
The majority of the
wines available at Vino
Italiano are usually
only available in select
restaurants, making it a
rare opportunity to do
tastings. The food was
provided by importer
Mediterranean Foods
and the ticket price
includes tastings of all
wine and food.
26 WineNZ Magazine | Summer 2019/2020