Conversations, observations & discussion topics from people in wine!
April 2020
The diversity of focus and concern for wine professionals during the current crisis
As a state committee of Wine Communicators of Australia, we see ourselves as a small sample of the membership group. The following thoughts were an outcome of the discussion we had together as a team [Read more]
January 2020
Next Level Marketing Nous – Executive Short Courses from UniSA & the Ehrenberg-Bass Institute
In a world where consumers are bombarded with stimuli coming from every direction, it is important that wine businesses have clear marketing messages and strategies that engage their consumer effectively. Put simply, wine brands must [Read more]
South Australian Wine, What Do Our International Friends Think About It?
Whether you are reaching for a glass of a classy cool climate Chardonnay from the Adelaide Hills, an old vine Grenache from McLaren Vale, or a refreshing Riesling from the Eden Valley; we as South [Read more]
December 2019
Great Wine Capitals – All You Need to Know
So what is Great Wine Capitals? The Bordeaux Chamber of Commerce founded Great Wine Capitals (“GWC”) in 1999. Today GWC is a global wine network that encourages travel, education and business exchanges between each of [Read more]
Bordeaux – a Great Wine Capital
Bordeaux – a Great Wine Capital “I’m going where?!” I thought. I was already excited about being the 2019 Wine Media Cadet, and then they told me I was going to Bordeaux. While I was [Read more]
Behind the Scenes at the 2019 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
I have spent a lot of time over the years investigating the many different aspects of the wine industry, but up until now, I really had no idea of the level of effort and rigour [Read more]
November 2019
USA Market – Is it the new hope for Aussie wine?
The following account of the Q&A Panel Series event held in Adelaide on Tuesday 26 November 2019 was written by Shirley Fraser, WCA SA Chapter Chair and Board member. USA - Is it the new [Read more]
The Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards – Yalumba Family Winemakers
Have you ever been to Yalumba Family Winemakers before? Up until recently, I hadn’t. I knew about it, I had enjoyed a few of their wines, but I had never visited. So when I finally [Read more]
The Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards – Maxwell Wines
A Restaurant with Style – Maxwell Wines Maxwell Wines is situated in the rolling hills of McLaren Vale, nestled between the sea in the west, and the foothills of the Mount Lofty Ranges in the [Read more]
The Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards – Lanzerac Country Estate
Lanzerac Country Estate sits just outside of Tanunda, featuring a picturesque backdrop of the Barossa Ranges and is surrounded by vines. The Estate holds a very special place in owner’s Justin and Casey Carter’s hearts. [Read more]
The Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards – Kimbolton Wines
Ever been to Langhorne Creek? I bet some of you have never heard of it, let alone know that is one of South Australia’s premium wine producing regions. As the weather warms up and we [Read more]
The Great Wine Capitals Best Of Wine Tourism Awards – Gemtree
Winners two years in a row, second time just as sweet as the first. Gemtree are the winners of this year’s Best of Wine Tourism Award for Best Sustainable Tourism Practices. It is in fact [Read more]
June 2019
“Wine Walkabouts” – Cool Climate by the Creekside
I always love how people think that ‘Adelaide is boring’. It is true though; if you are new in town and not very open to new experiences, Adelaide could probably be pretty boring. However, the [Read more]
May 2019
Tasting Australia – The Chemistry of Wine
I love a good aged Riesling with just a touch of TDN*, and I can get pretty happy from a bit of pyrazine in a nice Cabernet Sauvignon**. Not sure what I am talking about? [Read more]
The Modernisation Movement: Taking Wine Marketing to The Next Level
There’s certainly no denying the recent shift in wine marketing innovation taking place all over Australia. In this day and age, it is simply not enough to provide a nice oaky red. Cellar door guests [Read more]
February 2019
Barossa Wine Auction Top Picks
“Here is a list of amazing wines – do not worry about the price – pick whatever you like.” Pretty much the start of a great personal dream here, ladies and gentlemen. So – if [Read more]
January 2019
Wine magic and storytelling with Tony Love
Of course I made a list of questions before going to see Tony Love at his home office in Crafers but I did not need it anymore from the moment I walked in the door. [Read more]
Enjoy our wines, protect our vines
Here is an interesting fact for you: turns out 44% of women and 28% of men think they can just waltz into a vineyard and take a couple selfies while they are on a wine [Read more]
November 2018
The United Nations of Wine
“It is like seeing a great congregation of the United Nations”, Peter Gago, chief winemaker at Penfolds, said when welcoming the full international delegation of the Great Wine Capitals in their cellars at Magill. My [Read more]
Ni Hao Shanghai! – Wine Australia China Wine Awards 2018
This is my first time in China; a country I would love to know more about but know little of, and where I won’t even pretend to speak or understand the language. It has been [Read more]
McLaren Vale – You Rock
“Your winemakers, they are not like ‘rock stars’?”, he asks with a slightly confused smile. Juan Pablo Candisano from Mendoza is clearly not used to the down to earth manners of Kelly Wellington, winemaker at [Read more]
October 2018
Royal Adelaide Wine Show – we all win(e)!
Walking into the hall for the Royal Adelaide Wine Show lunch I saw a space full of wine industry legends. I hardly recognised the place; the buzzing, festive atmosphere before me was in stark contrast [Read more]
Experience matters: Executive Education in Wine Marketing by UniSA and the Ehrenberg- Bass Institute for Marketing Science.
On the surface, wine and its entrenched associations with celebration seems like an ‘easy’ product to market. This, however, is before you take into consideration rapid market expansion, competition from alternate alcohol products and a [Read more]
August 2018
Blending science into the crafts of great winemaking and storytelling
By DR JACQUI MCRAE – Senior Research Scientist, The Australian Wine Research Institute Wine is a beautiful and equal blend of craft and science. Many winemakers place much focus on the craft of winemaking but [Read more]