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australian wine companies
(Beelgara Wines) said he suspected such brands were borne out of a need for some growers, who were keen to pick up the WET rebate. “This is putting significant pressure on an already fragile market, and is contributing to the glut and the resulting decrease in price per litre,” Toohey said.
several Moscato wines across our brands and we’re satisfied with the performance of these wines.”
Roland Wahlquist (Brown Brothers) said: “Anyone who doesn’t have a guaranteed route to market is prolonging the inevitable. A lot of these brands just can’t survive. They are just crowding and confusing the market.”
Warren Randall did point out, however, the increase of young Moscato was creating a shortage of young fortified Muscat and, in time, could see the heritage of old fortified Muscat die out.
Brian Walsh (Yalumba) said: “All competition is tough. If genuine businesses develop from this initial misfortune – good luck to them. But as many know, once you start building up inventory, and possibly adding staff, even investing capital, then it’s not the easiest way to make a dollar. I would suspect that a majority of this sector would be happier growing grapes for a fair return. In the meantime, it’s just another challenge we must address, but growers have the right to do what they need to do.”
To the emphatic, Wahlquist: “We remain confident about Moscato into the future, and launched two new sparkling Moscato wines last year. These wines have received a great response.”
Rosé wines have done well but seem to be levelling out. What is your view?
If genuine businesses develop from this initial misfortune – good luck to them. Brian Walsh (above) Yalumba
Varieties The 2012 Australian and New Zealand Wine Industry Directory (WID) reveals some interesting data in regards to alternative varieties. According to its annual survey of wine producers, there were 139 winegrape varieties used for straight or blended wine production in 2011. Varieties making their first entry to the list included Aranel, Aucerot, Brachetto, Burger, Caverdella, Flora and Gruner Veltliner. One of the fastest growing alternative varieties in Australia is Vermentino, with 56 producers using this variety compared with 19 in 2009. Australian wine producers also showed a growing interest in Fiano (+15% new producers ), Tempranillo (+6%), Nebbiolo (+5%), Durif (+5%), and Marsanne (+4%). What is your view on increased interest for alternative varieties this year (is it all media, sommelier or genuine consumer)?
Overall, one picked up a snort of derision; new varieties are interesting to grow, make and drink but the fuss surrounding them is out of proportion to sales. Grant Burge (Grant Burge Wines) cut to the chase and represented many opinions, suggesting “at this stage, it’s media and sommelier interest”. Walsh observed: “One never knows what comes out of what is essentially R&D, both production and market-based. We are having a good go with Vermentino,
without any unrealistic expectations. It has, however, given some hope to an otherwise depressed grower group. Sean Shortt (Wingara Wines) was in London for the annual Australia Day tasting and gave his opinion from the export angle. “[Alternative varieties] seems more of a domestic trend than export. In export, Shiraz and Chardonnay continue to be the styles identified as ‘Australia’s own’. The atmosphere in London was positive, almost like a re-correction of the Aussie bashing of the past three to four years. Perhaps the English media are re-visiting Australia and recognising the diversity and the innovation once more. There is interest in Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula, Riesling and Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc – all the wine styles that are getting press domestically but are still really niche or on-premise in our key export markets. We still have a long way to go in educating them about Coonawarra Cabernet and Barossa Shiraz.” There has been an influx of Moscato brands this past year. If you have one, how is it performing?
‘Extremely well’ is the overriding response. From the restrained Sue Rana (Treasury Wine Estates): “TWE has
28 The Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
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This divided the respondents – some had little interest in making the style or, if they did, they found it was not selling well. Others have great enthusiasm for rosé, and leading the pro-camp was Leanne De Bortoli. “We are doing well with rosé but we have been very heavily involved with marketing and selling it over the past two years. Styles of rosé are changing as well and there appears to be more of the drier, savoury styles coming out onto the market. There is a place for both sweeter and for the drier. Each should tell its own story, because each has a place,” De Bortoli said. Neil McGuigan divided the question between domestic and export markets. “Domestically, it is a challenge as the category hasn’t really taken off, to date, but there has been more success in the UK. However, we must review our styles to ensure we remain relevant to changing trends within the rosé category,” McGuigan said. John Casella (Casella Wines) also seemed to have a strong interest in this market. “We already know that rosé acts as a key point of entry for consumers into wine and that the consumer-perceived benefits of rosé are that it is fruitier, has a more refreshing taste and is less challenging than red wine. So, given the opportunities here, we would expect to see more companies introduce variations on traditional rosé and an increased presence on wine lists and supermarket shelves,” Casella said. Walsh said: “There is a fairly low price barrier above which people won’t generally stray for fun wines – and rosé tends to sit in this category.” Lower alcohol brands have increased since last year. If you have one, how is it going? If not, are you planning to introduce one?
Many responded by pointing out their April 2012 – Issue 579