The Grapevine

Wine Industry News – 6/29/15

June 29th, 2015

In the news in wine this week, top South African wines, more climate change trouble (it’s not what you think), and wine and technology. [level-members]

South African Wines
The 2015 South African Wine Index is out and it includes the coutnry’s top 10 wine producers. On the list are:

  • Saronsberg Cellar (Tulbagh)
  • Bouchard Finlayson (Hermanus)
  • Jordan Wine Estate (Stellenbosch)
  • Hamilton Russell Vineyards (Hermanus)
  • KWV Mentors Range (Paarl)
  • Rustenberg Wines (Stellenbosch)
  • Rijks Private Cellar (Tulbagh)
  • Groot Constantia Estate (Constantia)
  • Constantia Glen (Constantia)
  • Spier (Stellenbosch)

The index is created by collating the data from global competitions, published wine reviews, and other listings. You can learn more about it on their website.

Climate Change Not All It’s Cracked Up to Be
At least not for Walla Walla, Washington, which may be too hot for winemaking. (Good onions, though.) Read the full article here, which discusses a recent New York Times article discussing how regions with colder climates may benefit from climate change. So far that’s not been the case for Walla Walla.

Wine and Technology
What could be closer to our hearts? Unfortunately, we’re away – in Iceland! – but the Wine Industry Technology Symposium looks tempting. Our favorite quote from the press release:

Brad Rosen CEO of DRYNC shared “The biggest game changer is consumer expectation. The convenience of mobile technology in particular has set a new bar – MAGIC. If your experience is not magical it is essentially useless in the eyes of the consumer.

You can read the press release here and learn more about the event and the organization behind it here.

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