EXPLORE THE LATEST IN COOL CLIMATE GRAPEGROWING AND WINEMAKING IN THE WARMTH OF THE AUSTRALIAN SUN
Melbourne, the capital of the State of Victoria in the centre of Australia's rapidly developing cool climate wine production industry, hosts the 5th International Symposium On Cool Climate Viticulture & Oenology - January 16 to 20, 2000.
Hear a distinguished panel of International speakers discuss the latest research and information relating to cool climate grape growing and winemaking. Subject areas include:
Mr John Whiting, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Tatura, VIC.Contributors to this colloquium will address the global impacts of climate change. Temperature patterns, rainfall seasonality and carbon dioxide concentrations will be discussed with particular reference to grapevine function in cool climate production areas. In addition, effects of changes in ultra violet radiation on allelopathic reactions in grapevines and on berry composition (wine quality) will be considered. Climate change impacts on pest and disease control will be discussed via CLIMEX modelling and likely changes in pest/disease dynamics in vineyards addressed. Speakers include: Prof Snow Barlow (University of Melbourne), Dr Roger Gifford (Australia National University), Prof Pail Kriedemann (Australia National University), Dr Andrew Pirie (Pipers Brook Vineyard), Prof Hannes Schultz (Forschungsanstalt Geisenheim), Dr Markus Keller (Charles Sturt University), Dr Chris Steel (Charles Sturt University), Dr Bob Sutherest (CSIRO Entomology), Dr Bob Emmett (Sunraysia Horticulture Centre).
Cool Climate Site Selection
This session will review the characteristics of cool climates, and particularly explore the relationships between cool climate and wine style.
The session will also cover i) site evaluation and selection, incorporating the concepts of site evaluation and how viticulture zones can be characterised, ii) the range of classification from region to a single vineyard, and iii) the linking of the site characteristics with fruit/wine quality, using examples or case studies.
Speakers include: Mr James Halliday (Coldstream Hills Vineyard, Australia) and Dr Francesco Iacono (Instituto Agrario S Michele all'Adige, Italy).
Climate and Crop Estimation
This session will cover i) the methodology of weather forecasting for pest and disease management, including examples of experiences in the USA and Australia, ii) discussing the role of service providers in delivering the weather and pest forecasts, and iii) the impact of longer term climate prediction on vineyard site selection.
The session will also provide a review of the global situation including a description of useful indices, providing an understanding of temporal and spartial variability of climate and the impact that has on using climate indices. This session will also consider crop estimation in cool areas and discuss the impact of variability on maintaining consistent yields.
Speakers include: Prof R C Seem (Cornell University, USA) and Dr John Gladstones (Australia).
Soil and Water Management
This session will address an overview of soil and water availability in different soil and climates, with a specific cool climate focus. The session will show why irrigation is necessary in some climates both to achieve quality and economics.
Integrated Crop Management
This session will cover the background and application of integrated crop management, particularly as it relates to cool climate viticulture.
Speakers include: Signore Franco Mannini (Centro Miglioramento Genetico Vite-CNR, Italy).
Flavour Modification in the Winery - Compositional Parametres
This session will provide an overview on the latest techniques of de-acidification of juice and must and wine in the production of premium quality cool climate wines.
Speakers include: Mr Evan Ward (Morton Estate Wines, New Zealand).
Flavour Modification in the Winery - Microbiological
This session will provide an overview of flavour changes that can be attributed to micro-organisms and their activity in the winery.
Speakers include: Dr Thomas Hennick-Kling (Cornell University, USA).
Investment Seminar
The seminar will focus on the particular challenges and opportunities for investment in viticulture and winemaking in Victoria, which has Australia's largest collection of cool climate wineries and wine regions. The seminar will illustrate the potential for profitable investment through analyses and cases studies presented by a number of leading Victorian viticulturists and winemakers - with expert financial commentary by chartered accountants BDO, Nelson Parkhill.
Exploring the Links Between Vines, Grapes and Wines
This session will look at flavour developments (terpenes and isoprenoids) in Chardonnay and Muller Thurgau in the vineyard and during wine ageing. It will also examine the sensory characters of cool climate red wine styles, their links with the weather of the vineyard site, the structure and architecture of the vine, and the composition of the grapes.
The vine physiology in relation to the development of flavour will also be discussed together with flavour measurements and the effect of atmospheric conditions on wine flavour profiles, the relationships between site yield and "quality," and maximising flavour/physiological ripeness.
Speakers include: Dr Giuseppe Versini (Instituto Agrario Provincale, Italy) and Dr Mike Trought (Lincoln University, New Zealand).
Flavour Development in Grapes and Wines
This session aims to study the contributions of the vineyard (site, aspect, region, microclimate) and winemaking techniques with particular reference to those aspects that are important to cool climate wines. It aims to bring together the various aspects that have been addressed throughout the Symposium.
Speakers include: Mr Rudi Bauer (Bendigo Station, New Zealand) and Mr Nick Bullied (Southcorp, Australia).
Workshops
Two new workshops have been included into the program.
WS19 (Pinot Gris Tasting) and WS20 (Sauvignon Blanc Tasting)
WS 1: Wine Business Forecasting and Risk Analysis
Powerful new computer simulation tools allow a much more sophisticated analysis of wine business. These permit the introduction of uncertainty factors into the values placed on model parameters. Expert input into the interrelationship of these parameters means that the output of financial and other performance models is enhanced. Business decision making is thus greatly assisted. Some typical applications so far developed include optimisation of winery processes and equipment usage as well as assessment of weather risks and vineyard manipulation. This workshop will examine some of these tools and demonstrate their potential in the wine industry.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 2: Sparking Wines - Tasting
Sparkling Wines from cool viticultural areas of Australia will be tasted and discussed by a number of leading sparkling winemakers from Australia and New Zealand.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 3: Quality Management in the Winery
This workshop will be co-ordinated by the Australian Wine Research Institute and will address ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and HACCP issues as they apply to Australian wineries.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 4: Rootstocks & Clones for Cool Climates
Rootstocks and clones of the main commercial varieties that are appropriate for use in cool climates will be discussed as they apply in Australia, with input from overseas experiences. This workshop will provide the opportunity for all participants to be made aware of what rootstocks are available for use in cool climates in the Australian context.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 5: Riesling Tasting
Riesling wines from the cooler regions of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres will be presented by a range of leading producers. The workshop will cover the interaction of style objective, site, viticultural parameters and winemaking technique.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 6: Benchmarking Vineyard Performance
Benchmarking the performance of vineyards in South Eastern Australia has been undertaken by the Victorian Government since 1998. This workshop will present an analysis of 2 years data collected from a range of viticultural areas within Victoria. Business strengths and weaknesses will be highlighted and strategies outlined to improve business performance.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 7: Fermentation and Spoilage
Discussion of the critical issues in vinification of grapes from cool climate regions with emphasis on pre- and post-fermentation handling and yeast selection. Identification of the potential for spoilage during maturation highlighting the conditions for the onset of "Brettanomyces character" and supported by a tasting of some Dekkera spoilt wines.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 8: Deacidification
Consideration of the practice of deacidification including presentations from practitioners on how and when to effect efficient deacidification, the potential for enhancing calcium tartrate instability and the types of materials most suited to effective acid reduction.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 9: Pinot Noir Tasting
A tasting of Pinot Noir wines from Australia and overseas focussing on cooler climates with particular emphasis on Tasmania, Southern Victoria and New Zealand.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 10: Chardonnay Tasting
Chardonnay wines from cooler regions of Australia and New Zealand using international benchmark wines. Will cover issues such as site, winemaking techniques, viticultural parametres and wine style.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 11: Fungal Trunk Diseases of Grapevines
Fungal trunk diseases of grapevines has become an important issue for vineyards in recent years. This workshop will bring together researchers from around the world to examine the latest research on phaeoacremonium (Black goo), eutypa, esca & botryosphaeria. Participants will be introduced to diagnostic techniques for identifying these organisms and managed options for their control.
Location: Yarra Valley Region
WS 12: Precision Management
A key driver of future viticultural performance will involve precision farming techniques. This workshop will examine the progress made by a number of Australian researchers and practitioners into this exciting new agricultural area.
Location: Macedon Region
WS 13: Pinot Noir & Chardonnay Clonal Performance and Tasting
The two main varieties grown in Australian cool climate regions are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Clonal differences are evident and the workshop will address the characteristics of clones through trial results, personal experiences and wine assessment.
Location: Yarra Valley Region
WS 14: Effluent Management
A discussion of a number of approaches to the management of winery effluent will occur. This will be partnered with site visits to a number of small wineries to examine effluent management systems in operation in cool climate locations in Victoria.
Location: Yarra Valley Region
WS 15: Barrel Management
How to maximise the potential of your oak barrels. Issues to be covered include barrel maintenance, washing, the process of barrel manufacture including levels of charcoal, and issues related to reuse and storage.
Location: Mornington Peninsula Region
WS 16: Site Selection
An overview of the important aspects of site selection, viz. climate, soil, site. Discussion will cover issues of variety choice, disease control, soil preparation, vineyard trellising, vineyard block design and mapping.
Location: Geelong Region
WS 17: Integrated Vine Management
Principles of Integrated Pest Management are now being extended into other aspects of grape production. This workshop will cover issues of grape production with a clear focus on sustainable production techniques.
Location: Yarra Valley Region
WS 18: Windbreaks & Off Target Spray Drift
The benefits of windbreaks have been clearly demonstrated in tempering the direct effect of wind on grapevine function. In addition windbreaks have been shown to reduce spray drift, an increasingly important issue in environmental management. This workshop will deal with the benefits and disadvantages of windbreaks, as well as many issues relating to establishment and maintenance.
Location: Mornington Peninsula Region
WS 19: Pinot Gris Tasting
Pinot Gris wines from the cooler regions of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres will be presented by a range of leading producers. The workshop will cover the interaction of style objective, site, viticultural parameters and winemaking technique.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
WS 20: Sauvignon Blanc Tasting
Sauvignon Blanc wines from the cooler regions of both the Southern and Northern Hemispheres will be presented by a range of leading producers. The workshop will cover the interaction of style objective, site, viticultural parameters and winemaking technique.
Location: Melbourne Convention Centre
Social Program
Leisure time and socialising can often be one of the most productive parts of a Symposium, with new relationships and networks being forged between participants. We have put together an extensive Social Program to involve delegates and their accompanying persons. We hope you will be able to join us at the Welcome Reception, the Tasting Evening and Symposium Dinner and the array of tours of Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Welcome Reception
(Wines & Food of Victoria)
Sunday 16 January
