WINE NEWS with Anne Dawson
Happs managing director Erl Happ will travel to the US in July to give a presentation at the American Society for Enology and Viticulture’s annual conference.
The conference, to be held in Roanoke, Virginia, will bring together experts from across the globe to share developments and discoveries in grape growth.
Mr Happ will present on the impact temperature and climate has on grape flavour, a topic he has researched in some detail, and one that is integral to the work of vignerons worldwide.
Mr Happ said it was exciting that a winemaker from Dunsborough, and the only Australian at the meeting, had the opportunity to share his ideas with such a large audience.
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Howard Park officially launched its latest reds, the 2002 Regional Series, at a luncheon last week.
Sourced from Howard Park’s Margaret River and Great Southern estates, the Leston and Scotsdale wines aim to showcase the regions’ ideal conditions for shiraz and cabernet sauvignon grape varieties.
Leston Shiraz and Leston Cabernet Sauvignon are produced at the Wilyabrup vineyard in the Margaret River region.
Scotsdale Shiraz and Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon are from the Great Southern estate.
Following the success of the 2001 series, Howard Park chief winemaker Michael Kerrigan says the winery is excited to present this fifth vintage.
“Grape varieties are fickle things. Take the same grape variety and grow it in a different climate with subtle climatic and soil differences and the resultant wine will show entirely different characteristics. We are excited to present this vintage,” he says.
The recent Western Australian Wine and Food Festival achieved record attendance numbers, with about 16,000 punters enjoying the fare over the long weekend.
According to CMS Events’ Richard Campbell, who organised the festival, this is an increase of about 20 per cent on numbers for 2003 and the first time more than 15,000 people moved through the gates.
While figures are still being collated, Mr Campbell says wine sales also increased.
Mr Campbell says between 2,500 and 4,000 bottles were sold on the weekend alone, and this estimate did not include mail orders, which form a significant share of total sales.
Entries for the 2004 Burswood Perth Royal Wine Show will close on June 25.
Judging will take place from September 5 to 10 and a dinner and awards presentation will be held on September 9 at the Burswood Grand Ballroom. More information is available from the Royal Agricultural Society of WA.
