The Australian Wine Research Institute

The Australian Wine Research Institute Blog

July 2025 Technical Review available now

16 July 2025 >

16 July 2025

The July 2025 issue of Technical Review is now available!

Technical Review is the AWRI’s own technical publication, which includes updates on AWRI research and a curated selection of the most recent grape and wine literature recommended by AWRI Emeritus Fellow Dr Peter Dry and Engagement Specialist Matt Holdstock.

Australian winemakers and grapegrowers can visit the library catalogue to view abstracts and request the latest non-open access journal articles from the John Fornachon Memorial Library, free of charge. Register for a new login or use the forgotten password link to reset your password.

While you are there, check out the library’s new database containing more than 765 immediately available digital journals and magazines, and set up alerts to be notified about new issues or key topics of interest to you.

If you have any questions or require assistance, contact us at infoservices@awri.com.au for assistance.

Our library team will also be at WineTech 2025 from 21-23 July at the Adelaide Convention Centre. Swing past stand 1113 to say hello, have a chat, and explore everything the AWRI has on display. We’d love to see you there!

Access the full issue of Technical Review online, or view a small selection of our recommendations from this issue below:

AWRI publications

  • Assessment of PFDA toxicity on RTgill-W1 cell line via metabolomics and lipidomics approaches. [Read full-text online] Aquatic Toxicology
  • AWRI: Celebrating 70 years and innovating for the future. [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Exploring consumers’ drinking behaviour regarding no-, low- and mid- alcohol wines: a systematic scoping review and guiding framework. [Read full-text online] Journal of Marketing Management
  • Genetic and phenotypic diversity of wine-associated Hanseniaspora species. [Read full-text online] FEMS Yeast Research
  • The influence of resource use on yield versus sale price trade-off in Australian vineyards. [Read full-text online] PLoS One
  • Monitoring grapevine fungicide resistance in Australia. [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Natural glycolipids for the control of spoilage organisms in red wine. [Read full-text online] Proceedings of the World Congress of Vine and Wine 2024.
  • Persistence of wine polysulfides: Investigation of the stability of isolated glutathione and cysteine species. [Read full-text online] Food Chemistry
  • Quantification of thiophenols at nanogram-per-liter levels in wine by UHPLC-MS/MS after derivatization with N-ethylmaleimide. [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
  • Time-of-day-dependent effects of a green tea extract on postprandial glycemia and insulinemia in healthy adults: a randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over intervention. [Read full-text online] Food & Function

Viticulture

  • Automated yield prediction in vineyard using RGB images acquired by a UAV prototype platform [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Evaluation of suitable base spray rate estimation methods for precision chemical applications in vineyards and different training systems [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
  • Global maps of canopy photosynthesis of grapevines under a changing climate [Read full-text online] American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
  • Impact of different mulching practices on grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) growth and soil properties [Read full-text online] GSC Advanced Research and Reviews
  • Increasing nitrogen cycling in deciduous fruit orchards and vineyards to enhance N use efficiency and reduce N losses – A review [Read full-text online] European Journal of Agronomy
  • New advancements in autonomous and robotic vineyard equipment promote efficiency, environmental and cost benefits [Read full-text online] Wine Business Monthly
  • Potential of ethanol to reduce grapevine transpiration [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Putting down roots: Why a range of Italian grape varieties are flourishing in Australia’s soils, and what the future holds for them [Request copy from AWRI Library] Decanter
  • Should we be more concerned about bacterial inflorescence rot and other bacterial vine diseases in the face of climate change? [Access copy from AWRI Library online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Vineyard design and plant material choices effect on grapevine yield: analysis of a big dataset in the south of France [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Agronomy for Sustainable Development

Sustainability

  • Cleaning up winery wastewater: Simple switches to minimise water wastage [Access copy from AWRI Library online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Enhancing energy efficiency in wineries: A novel benchmarking approach [Read full-text online] Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments
  • Hitting the marc: turning grape marc into value with a novel engineering bioprocess [Read full-text online] New Zealand Winegrower
  • Main factors influencing consumer willingness to pay for sustainable wine [Read full-text online] International Journal of Gastronomy and Food Science
  • Sustainable energy management: Energy flow and economic analysis of grape production [Read full-text online] Sustainability
  • Welcome to the zoo: An hour with Lucy Etheridge [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] WBM: Australia’s Wine Business Magazine
  • Wine tourism as a catalyst for sustainable performance: the mediating role of corporate legitimacy and green innovation [Read full-text online] Agribusiness

Oenology

  • Assessment of fumaric acid, ascorbic acid, and glutathione as alternatives to SO₂: Effects on red and white wine volatile composition [Read full-text online] LWT
  • Does Saccharomyces cerevisiae play a supporting role in mousy off-flavours production? [Read full-text online] IVES Technical Reviews, vine and wine
  • Dual optically responsive paper-membrane for simple, portable, and versatile control of total and volatile acidity in wines [Read full-text online] Analytica Chimica Acta
  • Evaluating the potential of gamma-glutamylcysteine and glutathione as substitutes for SO2 in white wine [Read full-text online] Food Science & Nutrition
  • The impact of GoLo technology on the quality properties of dealcoholised wines [Read full-text online] Applied Sciences
  • The influence of polyphenols on the hydrolysis and formation of volatile esters in wines during aging: An insight of kinetic equilibrium reaction [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Food Chemistry
  • Overcapping wax: an aesthetic or functional element [Read full-text online] IVES Technical Reviews, vine and wine
  • Rapid white wine shelf-life prediction by forecasting free SO2 loss post-bottling [Read full-text online] American Journal of Enology and Viticulture
  • Sensory effects of COVID-19 in wine professionals [Read full-text online] PLOS ONE
  • Talking techniques: Finding solutions with filtration equipment and processes [Access copy from AWRI Library online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, SA.

The AWRI prepares to launch Australia’s first DNA-based grapevine clonal ID service

8 July 2025 >

Tuesday, 8 July 2025

In a significant step for Australian viticulture, the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is preparing to launch a DNA-based grapevine clonal identification service, offering winegrape producers greater certainty and flexibility in the clonal identification process.

This is the first time such an advanced genomic analysis tool has been made available to the Australian wine industry, bringing greater accuracy and confidence to a task long reliant on visual assessments, anecdotal history, or paperwork.

“Clone misidentification can have long-term impacts on wine style, yield, and disease resistance, but it often can’t be definitively determined until years after planting, if at all,” said Dr Anthony Borneman, AWRI Research Manager Molecular Biology.

“With this new service, Australian growers, nurseries, and wine businesses can prevent costly mistakes before they happen.”

Developed by the AWRI with levy funding support through Wine Australia, the new service will be offered via the organisation’s commercial arm, Affinity Labs. Wine businesses, vine improvement groups, and nurseries can submit vine tissue samples and receive a detailed report identifying the most likely clonal match, and a confidence rating for the result.

Dr Borneman continued, “Whether you’re planting, checking source material, or investigating why a vineyard isn’t performing as expected – knowing your vine’s clonal ID enables you to protect grapevine value, manage quality, and plan with confidence.”

The service will initially support clonal identification for Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Riesling, with further varieties to be added in future.

Who will benefit:

  • Wine businesses sourcing or verifying planting material
  • Nurseries looking to back up clone claims
  • Growers investigating block variation or underperformance
  • Viticulturists and researchers validating trial blocks or heritage material
  • Vine improvement groups confirming the identity and integrity of propagation material in regional collections

The AWRI is currently inviting expressions of interest from wine businesses and nurseries interested in trialling the service ahead of its full commercial release.

Further information can be found at awri.com.au/grapevine-clonal-identification-service/

 

Media Contact: Lucy Hyde, Communications Manager, Australian Wine Research Institute, lucy.hyde@awri.com.au, 0486 179 344

MACSYS and AWRI team up for new wine research project

26 June 2025 >

26 June 2025

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) and Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Mathematical Analysis of Cellular Systems (MACSYS) have come together to bring new insights to Australia’s wine industry.

The collaboration aims to provide grape growers and winemakers with innovative tools to enhance the quality, sustainability, and efficiency of the winemaking process.

Researchers will undertake two projects focused on yeast metabolism and fermentation dynamics.

Project 1: Modelling yeast metabolism – a mathematical and statistical approach

Yeast plays a fundamental role in fermentation, influencing the development of flavours and aromas in wine. The project aims to further explore how the genetic features of yeast impact the production of both pleasant and unwanted taste compounds.

MACSYS Chief Investigator Professor Matthew Simpson (QUT) explains, “This project combines MACSYS’s expertise in mathematical modelling, statistical data science, and machine learning with AWRI’s industry-driven insights. We’re aiming to provide winemakers with a better understanding of how yeast processes sugars and other compounds during fermentation.”

Project 2: Using mathematical and statistical modelling to understand yeast competition in fermentation

The second project examines the competition between different yeast species during fermentation. These interactions can affect the fermentation process and, ultimately, the wine’s final characteristics. In other words, fermentation reliability and flavour profile.

AWRI Research Manager Dr. Simon Schmidt states, “Understanding these dynamics is essential for winemakers looking to refine fermentation control. Our collaboration with MACSYS will help us develop predictive models that can assist winemakers in selecting and balancing yeast populations to ensure that desirable strains dominate.”

A growing collaboration

The MACSYS team includes Professor Mat Simpson and Dr Alex Johnston from QUT, and Professor Traude Beilharz from Monash University. As part of this initiative, they will work with AWRI researchers specialising in yeast strain competition.

Both projects synergise with established MACSYS projects in the regulation of central carbon metabolism, protein translation and mRNA biology in yeasts. MACSYS Chief Investigator Professor Traude Beilharz explains, “It’s exciting to think about expanding our knowledge of model yeasts to understand how pathways enhance the aroma, flavour, colour and texture in wine”.

Stay tuned for more information about this exciting collaboration. MACSYS will bring you updates on its LinkedIn page and website as they happen.

 

Media contacts:
Tim Macuga, MACSYS: Tim.Macuga@qut.edu.au, 07 3138 6741
Lucy Hyde, AWRI: lucy.hyde@awri.com.au

New edition of the “Dog book” now available to Australian wine industry

19 June 2025 >

18 June 2025

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) has released its 32nd edition of Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture, commonly known as the ‘Dog book’.

Updated yearly to align with each growing season, the booklet is a reference guide for grapegrowers and wineries to ensure the safe and timely application of agrochemical treatments.

In 2024, 8.5% of enquiries to the AWRI Helpdesk related to agrochemicals, highlighting the continued importance of this trusted resource.

While the ‘Dog book’ contains information that is relevant across the Australian wine sector, recommendations are essential to exporting wine companies and their growers, to ensure final wines meet key export market quality requirements.

The 2025/26 edition recommends agrochemicals for use in the production of grapes for export wine against key target fungal and insect pests, outlines use restrictions and highlights key changes from the previous edition. It also includes fungicide resistance management strategies and answers to frequently asked questions.

Recommendations in the ‘Dog book’ are science-led, strongly consider practical application and have been endorsed by the Australian wine industry’s Agrochemical Reference Group.

Updates to the 2025-26 ‘Dog book’ include:

  • guidance on how to access free fungicide resistance testing
  • identification of cancelled products, their last use date and disposal options.

This valuable resource supports informed decision making for growers, protects our consumers, and demonstrates the Australian wine industry’s commitment to the responsible application of treatments by considering impacts to vines, the environment and our people.

The ‘Dog book’ is a free industry resource, available in hard copy and online via the AWRI website.

This publication is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers, and matching funds from the Australian Government.

 

Quotes:

 “The ‘Dog book’ is one of the AWRI’s most recognisable and trusted outputs. It is a demonstration of the AWRI’s expertise and relevance to industry and assists in ensuring we protect our export markets.” (Suzanne McLoughlin, Team Leader Engagement and Sustainability, AWRI)

“The ‘Dog book’ is a key reference document for the Australian wine industry to ensure the quality and integrity of our wines to the world.” (Philip Deverell, National Viticulturist, Vinarchy) 

 

Contact: AWRI Communications Manager, Lucy Hyde, lucy.hyde@awri.com.au

Agrochemicals update: Key changes to the 2025-26 “Dog Book”

18 June 2025 >

18 June 2025

The 2025/26 Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture, commonly known as the ‘Dog book’, is now available online via the AWRI website, with hard copies being mailed this month.

Read on for a summary of the key changes to this year’s ‘Dog book’ and additional information:

  • New active constituent
  • Changes to export harvest intervals
  • Active constituent reviews and cancelled products
  • Notification of change to poison schedule rating
  • Managing fungicide resistance
  • Managing herbicide resistance
  • Off-label grapevine permits
  • About the ‘Dog book’

New active constituent
The following active constituent is registered for use in winegrape production by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and is listed in the ‘Dog book’ for the first time:

AFIDOPYROPEN
APVMA product number 82738: Versys Insecticide is a BASF Australia Ltd product registered for suppression of Long tailed mealybug in vineyards. It is an activity group 9D insecticide, most active against 2nd and 3rd instar stages.

Recommended export harvest interval (withholding period): Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-sized (not greater than 7mm diameter).

Changes to export harvest intervals
Export harvest intervals have been extended for two active ingredients as follows:

PYDIFLUMETOFEN
APVMA product number 82484: Miravis Adepidyn technology fungicide is a Syngenta Australia Pty Ltd product registered for control of Powdery mildew in vineyards. It is an activity group 7 fungicide.

Recommended export harvest interval (withholding period): Changed from E-L 19, beginning of flowering when caps start loosening, to Use no later than E-L 25 (80% capfall).

MEFENTRIFLUCONAZOLE
APVMA product number 84344: Belanty fungicide is a BASF Australia Ltd product registered for control of Powdery mildew on grapes. It is an activity group 3 fungicide.

Recommended export harvest interval (withholding period): Changed from Use no later than E-L 31, berries pea-sized (not greater than 7mm diameter), to Use no later than 35 days before harvest.

Active constituent reviews and cancelled products
The APVMA continues to complete regulatory reviews on a range of active constituents. Three actives outlined below have been cancelled for use in vineyards.

DIAZINON
Insecticide products containing diazinon are no longer permitted for use on winegrapes from 10 September 2025. This active has been removed from the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’.

CHLORPYRIFOS
Insecticide products containing chlorpyrifos are no longer permitted for use on winegrapes from 30 September 2025. This active has been removed from the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’.

MALATHION
Insecticide products containing malathion are no longer permitted for use on winegrapes from 1 May 2026. One product with this active has been retained in the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’ for potential use until this cancellation date.

Any products containing these three actives not applied by the ‘last use date’ must be responsibly disposed. The ChemClear program managed by AgSafe facilitates safe disposal of unused and obsolete agricultural chemicals. Register your chemicals for disposal or call 02 6206 6888.

For a comprehensive product list relevant to winegrapes as at May 2025, including products voluntarily cancelled, stopped, or for which effectively have been discontinued by the manufacturer, refer here.

As a result of the above reviews, the AWRI has updated the chemical treatment listings contained in the following two fact sheets:

Notification of change to poison schedule rating
BROMOXYNIL PRODUCTS CONTAINING MORE THAN 1.5% w/v
All products containing more than 1.5% w/v of bromoxynil have been reclassified from a Schedule 6 ‘Poison’ to a Schedule 7 ‘Dangerous Poison’.   From 1 February 2025, the APVMA has been taking regulatory action to ensure relevant product label signal headings and storage requirements comply with this change. This change is relevant to all herbicide products listed in the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’ for which bromoxynil is the active ingredient with diflufenican (Colt, Kelpie DFF + Brom MX, Jagged, Lobak, Meerkat, Ruger).

Requirements for storage and handling of Schedule 7 chemicals vary by state.  In South Australia, they may only be sold or supplied to a person who holds a current Chemical Accreditation, like ChemCert. Similarly in Victoria, a Standard Agricultural Chemical Users Permit is required.

Managing fungicide resistance
To ensure continued effectiveness of fungicides from a range of fungicide activity groups against a target disease, it is essential that fungicide resistance management strategies are followed. These have been updated for botrytis, powdery mildew and downy mildew in the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’.

In vineyards where disease control issues have been noted, some fungicide resistance has been detected against these three diseases. If you are concerned about the lack of control you are achieving from your fungicide spray program, a free fungicide resistance testing service is available to winegrape producers until June 2027. Further details are provided in the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’.

Managing herbicide resistance
New to the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’ is general guidance information on herbicide resistance, including key factors that contribute to its development.

Off-label grapevine permits
Situations can arise whereby chemicals are needed to target a particular pest that is not specified on the label. In such instances an ‘off-label’ permit may be obtained through the APVMA. Examples include for use against wasps or fruit fly.

For a list of current off-label permits issued for use on winegrapes in various situations, refer here. Note that these use cases are not listed in the ‘Dog book’. Prior to use, it is essential to read all the conditions attached to a permit and to contact your winery or grape purchaser.

About the ‘Dog book’
The ‘Dog book’ is an annually published reference guide for Australian grape and wine industry and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any product. It helps facilitate export market access, responsible application of chemical treatments and environmental stewardship.

  • Look out for the 2025/26 ‘Dog book’ as an insert in the July issue of the Australia & New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker magazine.
  • Refer here for a digital copy of the ‘Dog book’ which will be updated through the year as new active ingredients become registered and available for use.
  • To order a hard copy from the AWRI, complete the ‘Dog book’ sign up form here.
  • For more resources relevant to agrochemical treatments, visit the dedicated Agrochemicals page on the AWRI website.
  • For more information, please contact Suzanne McLoughlin on 08 8313 6600 or email helpdesk@awri.com.au.

Acknowledgements
This eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, SA.

May 2025 Technical Review available now

7 May 2025 >

7 May 2025

The May 2025 issue of Technical Review is now available!

Technical Review is the AWRI’s own technical publication, which includes updates on AWRI research and a curated selection of the most recent grape and wine literature recommended by AWRI Emeritus Fellow Dr Peter Dry and Engagement Specialist Matt Holdstock.

Australian winemakers and grapegrowers can visit the library catalogue to view abstracts and request the latest non-open access journal articles from the John Fornachon Memorial Library, free of charge. Register for a new login or use the forgotten password link to reset your password.

While you are there, check out the library’s new database containing more than 765 immediately available digital journals and magazines, and set up alerts to be notified about new issues or key topics of interest to you. Contact us at infoservices@awri.com.au for assistance.

Below is a small selection of recommendations from this issue of Technical Review:

AWRI publications

  • Ask the AWRI: Polysaccharides: a cause of clarification/filtration problems [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Development of a standardized method for metabolite analysis by NMR to assess wine authenticity [Read full-text online] IVES Conference Series
  • Metabolic disruptions induced by low concentrations of DMSO in RTgill-W1 fish cells: The importance of solvent controls in in vitro studies [Read full-text online] Aquatic Toxicology
  • A rapid growth rate underpins the dominance of Hanseniaspora uvarum in spontaneous grape juice fermentations [Request copy from AWRI Library] Yeast

Viticulture

  • Improvements in the aromatic composition of Tempranillo Blanco grapes after being sprayed with three concentrations of urea either at pre-veraison or veraison [Read full-text online] European Food Research and Technology
  • Role of the rootstock and its genetic background in plant mineral status assessed by petiole analysis and deficiency symptoms [Read full-text online] IVES Technical Reviews, vine and wine
  • Adaptation to climate change in viticulture: The role of varietal selection—A review [Read full-text online] Plants
  • A framework to manage fungicide resistance in grape powdery mildew [Read full-text online] Wine Business Monthly
  • Seminatural habitats support both grapevine pests and their parasitoids in Mediterranean organic vineyards [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Oecologia
  • Physiology and transcriptome profiling reveal the drought tolerance of five grape varieties under high temperatures [Read full-text online] Journal of Integrative Agriculture
  • Novel termination techniques of winter cover crops in the vineyard: Effects on physiology and performance of Pinot Noir and Malvasia di Candia aromatica grapevines [Read full-text online] European Journal of Agronomy
  • Organic matter evolution and microbial activity in a vineyard soil after four years of inter-row cover crop management [Read full-text online] Applied Soil Ecology
  • Evaluation of the impact of vine pruning periods on grape production and composition: an integrated approach considering different years and cultivars [Read full-text online] OENO One

Sustainability

  • Assessment of sustainability progress indicators in the wine industry [Read full-text online] Journal of Social Sciences
  • Integrated system of microalgae photobioreactor and wine fermenter: growth kinetics for sustainable CO2 biocapture [Read full-text online] Fermentation
  • Steam reforming for winery wastewater treatment: Hydrogen production and energy self-sufficiency assessment [Read full-text online] Biomass and Bioenergy
  • Sustainable innovation practices: a single case study in a wine SME [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] International Journal of Organizational Analysis

Oenology

  • Cork impact on red wine aging monitoring through 1H NMR metabolomics: A comprehensive approach [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Food Research International
  • From vine to wine: coloured phenolics as fingerprints [Read full-text online] Applied Sciences
  • Inorganic and organic constituent analysis: A data fusion strategy to differentiate between wines of different origins [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Food Control
  • AI, wine experts, and wine apps: Whatever next? [Read full-text online] The World of Fine Wine
  • The prospect of superior yeast for winemaking: recent successes through bioprospecting [Read full-text online] Current Opinion in Biotechnology
  • Replacement of sulfur dioxide in white, rosé, and red wines by a blend of tannins extracted from multiple plant materials [Read full-text online] Beverages
  • Influence of grape quality tier, harvest timing, and yeast strain on mannoprotein content, phenolic composition, and color modulation in young red wines [Read full-text online] Food Research International
  • Comparative study of the sensory impacts of acidifiers for red wine production [Read full-text online] Beverages

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, SA.

Agrochemical update − Delays to regulatory decisions on agrochemical use

29 April 2025 >

29 April 2025

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has advised of delays to pending regulatory decisions that affect the grape and wine industries.

The timeline for publication of the final regulatory decision on continued use of paraquat and diquat herbicide active ingredients in vineyard situations has been repeatedly extended, and is now expected in December 2025. The AWRI advised industry in September 2024 of the public consultation on these active ingredients, following release of the proposed regulatory decision in July 2024.

Despite the uncertain future of paraquat and diquat use in vineyards, both actives are scheduled to remain in the upcoming 2025/26 edition of Agrochemicals registered for use in Australian viticulture, commonly known as the ‘Dog book’.

The proposed regulatory decisions for individual neonicotinoid insecticide actives have also been delayed, now expected between December 2025 to October 2026. These include acetamiprid (currently registered on wine grapes in conjunction with pyriproxyfen to target longtailed mealybug, grapevine scale and lightbrown apple moth); clothianidin (currently registered on wine grapes to target longtailed mealybug and grapevine scale); and fipronil (currently registered on wine grapes to target fig longicorn).

The AWRI will continue to keep industry abreast of important changes to agrochemical availability.

Acknowledgements

The AWRI’s eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. The AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, South Australia.

 

March 2025 Technical Review available now

24 March 2025 >

24 March 2025

The March 2025 issue of Technical Review is now available!

Technical Review is the AWRI’s own technical publication, which includes updates on AWRI research and a curated selection of the most recent grape and wine literature recommended by AWRI Emeritus Fellow Dr Peter Dry and Engagement Specialist Matt Holdstock.

Australian winemakers and grapegrowers can visit the library catalogue to view abstracts and request the latest non-open access journal articles from the John Fornachon Memorial Library, free of charge. Register for a new login or use the forgotten password link to reset your password.

While you are there, check out the library’s new database containing more than 765 immediately available digital journals and magazines, and set up alerts to be notified about new issues or key topics of interest to you. Contact us at infoservices@awri.com.au for assistance.

Below is a small selection of recommendations from this issue of Technical Review:

AWRI publications

  • Adsorption properties of molecularly imprinted polymers designed for removal of smoke taint compounds from wine [Read full-text online] Food Research International
  • Ask the AWRI: Emissions calculations within Sustainable Winegrowing Australia [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Ask the AWRI: YAN analysis: It’s a must [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Identification and quantitative measurement of pyroglutamic acid in 1H NMR spectra of wine [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Food Research International
  • A list of eclectic viruses, virus-like diseases and viroids of grapevines that should not be considered for regulatory oversight: a global plea from virologists [Read full-text online] Journal of Plant Pathology
  • Mitigation of individual odorous bushfire smoke semi-volatile organic compounds using multi-modal air purifiers [Request copy from AWRI Library] Ecolibrium
  • Optimizing the use of membrane filtration for the amelioration of smoke tainted wine [Read full-text online] Food Chemistry 
  • Raising a glass to lowering alcohol: Insights from wine trade operators [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • The roles of nanoparticles in wine science: Innovations and applications [Read full-text online] Nanomaterials
  • Soil phosphorus transformations along two long-term chronosequences with contrasting climate in south-western Australia [Read full-text online] Plant and Soil
  • Tannin additions decrease the concentration of malodorous volatile sulfur compounds in wine-like model solutions and wine [Read full-text online] Food Chemistry 

Viticulture

  • Overhead spray water treatment as a mitigation strategy to alleviate vine stress and safeguard grape quality during heatwaves [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Australia’s viticultural trends: Insights from a new database [Read full-text online] iVES Technical Reviews, vine and wine
  • Image-based sensing of salt stress in grapevine [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Savagnin; a happy accident [Request copy from AWRI Library] Halliday Wine Companion
  • Do plant resistance inducers reduce Plasmopara viticola infection on grapevine berry clusters at different growth stages? [Read full-text online] Plant Disease
  • Use of innovative compounds to manage grapevine downy and powdery mildews: results of a three-year field trial [Read full-text online] Agronomy 
  • Effect of timing of drought stress during dormancy on starch storage in grapevine [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Irrigation Science
  • Regenerative soil management practices no-till and sheep grazing induce significant but contrasting short-term changes in the vineyard soil microbiome [Read full-text online] Plants People Planet 
  • Effects of vineyard management practices on winegrape composition. a review using meta-analysis [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] American Journal of Enology and Viticulture

Sustainability

  • Assessing environmental and economic sustainability: valorizing grape stems for animal feed production [Read full-text online] ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
  • How green is your wine? [Read full-text online] Decanter

Oenology

Acknowledgments

This work is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government. AWRI is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster in Adelaide, SA.

Statement: AWRI response to Wine Australia’s February 2025 briefing paper

7 March 2025 >

7 March 2025

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is aware of a Sector Briefing Paper issued by Wine Australia on 28 February 2025 titled “Investing in Innovation: meeting the challenges of tomorrow, today”.

AWRI is disappointed that it was not consulted prior to the Briefing Paper being issued.  The Briefing Paper contains factual errors and commentary that may, without proper context, result in misinterpretation.

The AWRI has formally requested Wine Australia publish a revised version of its Briefing Paper to correct these inaccuracies.

The AWRI remains focused and committed to supporting the Australian grape and wine community through world-class research, practical extension services and technical excellence.

Drifting smoke from Victorian bushfires causing some concern

3 February 2025 >

3 February 2025

With several bushfires currently burning in western Victoria, smoke has been observed drifting from these fires across other wine regions in Victoria, NSW, Tasmania and South Australia.

The AWRI helpdesk has received a number of calls from producers about the presence of smoke in their vineyards, including from producers located a long distance from the fires themselves.

Grape and wine producers who are concerned about the possibility of this drifting smoke affecting their grapes are encouraged to contact the AWRI helpdesk (helpdesk@awri.com.au or 08 8313 6600 phone option 1 followed by option 1) as a first step to discuss their observations, concerns and potential management options.

Where there are multiple concerned growers in a region, it may be sensible to collaborate and coordinate an initial sampling program from across the region, in conjunction with the local regional association, to assess the risk through diagnostic testing.

In general, AWRI advises sampling grapes for smoke analysis three weeks prior to harvest to allow time for transport of samples, analysis and receipt of results before making harvest decisions. Tips for sampling, packaging and transport of grapes for smoke analysis are available in the fact sheet: Grape sampling, processing and transport following vineyard smoke exposure.

Growers located close to bushfires are advised to contact their preferred laboratory to coordinate testing of samples. Information about Affinity Labs’ smoke testing is available from: https://affinitylabs.com.au/smoke-analysis-wine/

What do we know about smoke composition and the amount of smoke exposure that causes smoke taint in grapes?

Smoke is made up of particulate matter, secondary organic aerosols and volatile phenols and other compounds. The exact amount of smoke exposure that will result in a perceptible smoke character in wine is not well known, as the chemical composition of smoke reflects fuel and combustion conditions and changes rapidly in the atmosphere, becoming lower in the concentrations of volatile phenols over time. This means that smoke from recently burnt woody materials will contain higher concentrations of free volatile phenols, and thus have greater potential to cause smoke taint in grapes and wine. The density of smoke particulate matter can be measured. However, a relationship between measured particulate matter and the risk of smoke taint has not been determined conclusively.

More information about smoke taint is available on the AWRI’s smoke taint webpage

Acknowledgement

This eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia, with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funds from the Australian Government.