Before we get stuck into this week’s topic, we should quickly check in with Rob for a…

Vintage update

Take it away Rob…

Harvest

All of our 2023 fruit has now been picked. There is a slight possibilty of a bit of extra Graciano that Kim has “spare”. It was quite low in Baumé when we picked some for the Tempranillo/Graciano blend. But with some reasonable weather coming (this weekend) we’re keeping an eye on it to see if it will come up closer to 13 Baumé. It’s a wait and see on that one!!

Rosé

Our Rosé (this year a blend of Tempranillo and Pinot Noir) started fermentation quite deep and bright in colour. A couple of days later, it’s now a much gentler shade, and it will get even paler as fermentation continues. Lovely aromas and still quite sweet.

Sauvignon Blanc

The Sauvignon Blanc is delicious, and with attractive peachy/tropical aromas to match the original grassy notes.

Chardonnay

We picked two batches of Chardonnay and they are now both in some very nice and relatively new barrels fermenting away.

Light Dry Red

Our 2023 LDR too has been pressed and is finishing off fermentation in barrel. These barrels are very mature (ie. they’ve been used several times before).

Pinot Noir Dry Red and Tempranillo Graciano

Both the Pinot Noir and Tempranillo Graciano (Picnic Races Red) are just coming off skins now. These two wines are looking distinctive and very nice.

Pinot Noir Sparkling Base

The pinot sparkling base is fermenting happily after we had to wait so long to get it in – lovely fruit and equally nice juice!!

In other news…

This notification came to us via email from Wine SA this week:

“The European Union (EU) is seeking to make the term “Prosecco” a geographical indication (GI) under the Australia-EU Wine Agreement. If successful this may result in Australian producers being unable to use this term for products using the Prosecco grape. In addition, it could set a precedent where a number of other grape varieties could be sought to be protected as a GI. 

“Lots of other words that aren’t really important to this discussion and would make this post a lot longer than it needs to be.

“SAWIA will be objecting to the inclusion of Prosecco as a GI term on the basis that it is a grape variety.”

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What does it all mean?

The Australia – European Community Agreement on Trade in Wine which commenced on 1 September 2010 provides rules for the trade in wine between Australia and the European Union (EU).

The agreement guarantees and improves access for Australian wine producers to the very important European export market (in 2009-10, Australia exported 382 million litres of wine to the EU worth $863 million, while importing
17 million litres from Europe, valued at $200 million).

How this helps Australian producers

There are significant advantages to Australian producers and exporters in this agreement. Here are just a few…

• European recognition of an additional 16 Australian winemaking techniques.
• Simplified labelling requirements for Australian wine sold in European markets.
• Protection within Europe of Australia’s 112 registered geographical indications (GI) such as Barossa Valley and Margaret River.
• European agreement for Australian producers to display wine show medals on their bottles.

All in all, Australian wine producers will have to make fewer changes and concessions to sell their wine in the EU.

What the EU gets in return?

Australia agrees to:

• Protect a range (more than 2,500) of registered European GIs. If you’re interested, you can find the full list here.
• Protect 11 sensitive European GIs that have previously been used to describe Australian wines (Burgundy, Chablis, Champagne, Graves, Manzanilla, Marsala, Moselle, Port, Sauterne, Sherry, and White Burgundy)
• Prevent Australian producers from using a range of European traditional expressions (TEs)
• Phase out the use of the term ‘Tokay’ to describe Australian fortified wines within 10 years (but that’s a whole other story!)

The thing with this agreement is that it is written, into the agreement, that changes can be made – as long as both parties agree.

So, back to that email from Wine SA. The EU wants to include the term “Prosecco” in those 2,500-odd registered European GIs and we don’t agree!

Watch this space for more information as it comes to hand.

We’re Having a Party & Secretly Releasing Some Wine

Check your inbox for an email with this title for more information about a new release wine (along with the party we’re having and the specials we’ve released to celebrate!)!