The Australian Wine Research Institute

The Australian Wine Research Institute Blog

Crown gall-like symptoms in Australian vineyards

22 February 2024 >

22 February 2024

The AWRI helpdesk has received reports of crown gall-like symptoms affecting young vines in a number of regions in Australia.

Preliminary analysis conducted by laboratories in NSW and Victoria has suggested the presence of Agrobacterium species from the biovar 1 group in the galls. This finding is unexpected given that the predominant causal agent for crown gall disease historically in Australian vineyards has been Allorhizobium vitis (previously referred to as Agrobacterium vitis), which belongs to the biovar 3 group. While Agrobacterium species from the biovar 1 group have not previously been associated with crown gall disease in Australian vineyards, they are known to induce similar symptoms in other plant species, including pome fruit, stone fruit and nut trees.

Agrobacterium and Allorhizobium species are commonly found in soils and water worldwide, where they typically lead saprophytic lives, surviving independently of a host. However, when they infect plants, they can either be non-pathogenic or act as pathogens, causing diseases. Pathogenicity is linked to virulence genes on a tumour-inducing plasmid (Ti plasmid). Among the known strains of Agrobacterium from the biovar 1 group, some exhibit pathogenicity towards plants while others do not. Testing is currently underway on vines displaying the crown gall-like symptoms, to determine the specific strain(s) present. Once identified, further investigation will be necessary to demonstrate whether or not these strains are pathogenic towards grapevines.

Symptoms
The symptoms that have been reported are gall formation at wound sites, stunted growth, peeling and cracking of bark, as well as a gradual decline in vine vigour and vine loss due to girdling as the disease progresses. Young vines are particularly vulnerable as galls can impede water and nutrient flow throughout the vine. Frost injury causing cracking of the bark has led to small tumours forming in a line along the cracking wound. Symptoms of crown gall can also be mistaken for those of vine strangulation around the graft union and root knot nematodes.

Response
In response to this issue, a group of representatives from industry bodies including the AWRI, Wine Australia and Vinehealth Australia, diagnostic laboratories, the propagation sector, research organisations, state biosecurity bodies and growers are working together. This group aims to identify the causal organism(s) of crown gall-like symptoms in affected vineyards, identify the source of infection, and establish best practice management guidelines for infected vineyards.

Efforts are also currently underway to align and enhance diagnostic techniques for identifying Agrobacterium and Allorhizobium species across multiple Australian laboratories.

Vineyard hygiene
There are currently no effective and practical methods available for completely eradicating crown gall once the bacteria are established in a vineyard, primarily due to their ability to persist in the soil for extended periods. Until more information becomes available, growers are strongly advised to adhere to best-practice farm gate hygiene. Given the potential spread of Agrobacterium and Allorhizobium bacteria through contaminated soil, water and equipment, strict hygiene measures are imperative to minimise the risk of spread. These measures include segregating vineyard activities between clean and diseased blocks, regularly disinfecting tools and equipment in contact with soil or vines, preventing the transfer of soil or plant debris between blocks, and ensuring contaminated water does not flow into clean areas or water storage facilities.

Vinehealth Australia provides a list of ‘Top farm-gate hygiene activities’ and protocols outlining procedures for disinfecting footwear or small tools, and harvester cleaning. While these are primarily aimed at minimising the introduction of phylloxera, it is important to note that for farm gate hygiene disinfestation procedures to be effective, they must address the target pest, disease or pathogen. The latest recommendation to target crown gall is to use undiluted methylated spirits (95% ethanol) to disinfest footwear and small hand tools. Growers using ethanol in footbaths are advised to follow a two-step process to ensure footwear is first cleaned of all soil and plant material, prior to submersion in the ethanol for 60 seconds, with no water rinse thereafter. The efficacy of the ethanol will be prolonged by covering the footbath securely during daylight hours when not in use to prevent degradation, and replacing the ethanol at least daily or more frequently if it becomes soiled. This disinfestation procedure is also effective against phylloxera. Note that caution is advised because 95% ethanol is highly flammable.

What to do if you observe gall-like symptoms:

  • Photograph and document the location of affected vines.
  • For new vine plantings, contact your nursery supplier and the Vine Industry Nursery Association (VINA) on 0429 772 221 or steve@armnursery.com.au.

Contact the AWRI helpdesk on 08 8313 6600 or helpdesk@awri.com.au for advice on options for testing and identification.

Acknowledgments

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.

Suzanne McLoughlin from Vinehealth Australia is thanked for her contributions to this eBulletin

Submission: AWRI feedback on draft One Grape and Wine Sector Plan

5 February 2024 >

5 February 2024

Introduction and background

The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) is the Australian wine industry’s own dedicated, independent, wine-specific research institution. The AWRI is a for-purpose, not-for-profit organisation that supports a profitable and sustainable Australian grape and wine industry through world-class research, practical solutions and knowledge transfer. Established in 1955, the AWRI is governed by an industry-led, skills-based Board and is a member of the Wine Innovation Cluster located at the Waite Research Precinct in Adelaide. The AWRI is recognised as a global leader in grape and wine research and when combined with the University of Adelaide, ranks number one in the world for scientific output via peer-reviewed publications and normalised citation index rankings, important in assessing science quality and impact.

The Managing Director, Dr Mark Krstic and General Manager Business Development, Dr Tony Robinson participated in the One Grape and Wine Sector plan consultation meetings held at the following locations and dates across Australia:

  • In Melbourne, Victoria, on Wednesday, 9 August 2023 at the Jimmy Watson Wine Bar in collaboration with Wine Victoria
  • In Perth, Western Australia, on Thursday, 24 August 2023 in collaboration with Wines of Western Australia
  • In Adelaide, South Australia on Friday 25 August 2023 in collaboration with the South Australian Wine Industry Association
  • In Berri (Riverland), South Australia on Monday, 28 August 2023 at Accolade Wines in collaboration with Riverland Wine and the Australian Commercial Wine Producers
  • In Mildura, Victoria on Tuesday, 29 August 2023 at the offices of Murray Valley Winegrowers Inc., in collaboration with Murray Valley Winegrowers and the Australian Commercial Wine Producers
  • In Griffith, NSW on Wednesday 30 August 2023 at the offices of the Wine Grapes Marketing Board, in collaboration with the Wine Grapes Marketing Board
  • In Griffith, NSW on Thursday 31 August 2023 at the offices of Miranda Wines, in collaboration with the Australian Commercial Wine Producers
  • In Adelaide, South Australia, and online, on Tuesday 17 October 2023 at the offices of Wine Australia at the National Wine Centre, in collaboration with Wine Australia, Australian Grape & Wine’s Research Advisory Committee and the National Wine Research and Extension Network.

The AWRI is committed to supporting Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia throughout this strategic planning process and listening carefully to the input and feedback across the length and breadth of Australian wine industry stakeholders. This is crucial to help the AWRI tailor its service offering and capabilities to remain relevant and effective in supporting the Australian wine industry.

Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine released a draft One Grape and Wine Sector for review and comment on 9 January 2024, with feedback due by 5 February 2024.

AWRI feedback

The AWRI Board and Executive Management Group have reviewed the draft One Grape and Wine Sector plan in detail and offer the following points of feedback for consideration by Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine:

  • Prioritisation, timeframes and resourcing – While the draft One Grape and Wine Sector plan has managed to capture the breadth and diversity of views from across the Australian wine industry, there is no sense of prioritisation, timeframes, accountability or resources required to achieve the recommended actions and outcomes. While there is broad support for the 6 themes and 23 priority areas, there are simply not enough resources available to address them all at once and there is therefore a need for clear prioritisation and clarification on responsibility for delivery. This plan needs to provide leadership to tackle the most immediate and difficult threats our industry is facing.
  • Levy review and reform – The AWRI believes that the draft plan has missed a huge opportunity to consider a review of the current industry R&D and Marketing levies, explore opportunities to streamline the administration and management of these levies, and assess feasibility of potential current and future levy collection scenarios. This will be crucial in securing future research, innovation, extension, adoption and marketing/market insights capabilities for the Australian wine industry. While this may require a 10-year horizon to achieve, it is an essential step in achieving a sustainable future for our industry. Considering the ambitious goals set forth in the plan and the evident limitations of funding under the current levy system, it is imperative for the plan to address funding challenges proactively. The lack of a proposal to revitalise or restructure the funding model is a significant oversight, undermining the plan’s overall potential for success. AWRI is aligned with the views of many thought leaders within the sector that reform of the levy system is a very high priority to be addressed by Wine Australia and Australian Grape & Wine with urgency.
  • No clear R&D strategy – The AWRI is concerned that while most of Wine Australia’s budget (~65%) is derived from the R&D levies, there is very little clarity on key areas for strategic investment in innovation for the Australian wine industry. Given potential reductions in R&D levies, it is important that Wine Australia develops a clear and concise R&D investment strategy, similar to other RDCs such as Grains Research and Development Corporation, Meat and Livestock Australia and Sugar Research Australia, that allows the industry to monitor and evaluate outcomes quickly. Wine Australia, Australian Grape & Wine and key research providers should be clear on their roles in supporting the development of a clear R&D strategy that will ensure a sustainable pipeline of innovation that is available and suited to the Australian grape and wine sector.
  • Addressing the anti-alcohol lobby and wine’s social licence – It is concerning that issues associated with the anti-alcohol lobby and our sector’s social licence to operate are not raised as key advocacy issues for the Australian wine industry in the draft plan. Given the World Health Organization’s stated policy position on reducing alcohol consumption globally and the fundamental challenges to wine and alcohol’s place in modern society, this area should be given high priority within the plan. It would be natural for Australian Grape & Wine to lead this advocacy on behalf of the sector. Developing an advocacy strategy that aligns with global health objectives while protecting the interests of the wine sector would likely involve key components such as:
    • Emphasising responsible consumption
    • Highlighting sustainable practices
    • Engaging in policy dialogue
    • Research and innovation
    • Community engagement.
  • Overemphasis on increasing demand rather than addressing oversupply – The One Grape and Wine Sector plan exhibits a notable bias towards increasing demand rather than directly addressing the issue of oversupply within the Australian wine sector. This has been an ongoing issue for the sector since the early 2000s, and the document continues to encourage an open market, which has continued to lead to sustained periods of oversupply and poor return on investment and profitability. The plan places considerable emphasis on market intensification and diversification, suggesting a primary focus on expanding consumer bases, both domestically and internationally. This approach inherently leans towards boosting demand as a solution to the supply-demand imbalance. There is a noticeable lack of robust initiatives aimed at regulating or managing supply. While the draft plan acknowledges the issue of oversupply, the proposed actions primarily focus on market-driven solutions rather than direct interventions in supply management. Without measures to control or regulate production levels, efforts to stimulate demand may not sufficiently address the surplus, potentially leading to wastage, decreased profitability, and environmental concerns. The bias towards demand generation may also overlook opportunities to embed sustainability more deeply into sector practices. Addressing oversupply through limiting production could lead to more sustainable viticulture practices, reduce environmental impact, and align with global trends towards environmental responsibility. Economically, this bias has increased and will continue to increase vulnerability to international market fluctuations.
  • Importance of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia within ESG – While Sustainable Winegrowing Australia is mentioned within the draft plan, its central role in supporting industry to achieve its ESG goals should be emphasised more clearly within the ESG-focused sections of the plan.
  • Export market focus – Given the steady decline of the value of Australian wine exports in recent years, it would be useful for the plan to outline the role Wine Australia will play in supporting market intensification, and how Wine Australia’s efforts will complement marketing initiatives undertaken by individual companies and regional associations. There is currently a lack of clarity within the draft plan on focus areas for export market development. It will be crucial to develop a more strategic approach that identifies key markets based on potential growth, alignment with Australian wine profiles, and receptiveness to our products. There should be a clear focus by Wine Australia on comprehensive market and competitor analysis, clearly defining opportunities, priority markets and customers to maximise return on marketing investments made by Wine Australia and by companies and regions.
  • Support from the Australian Government and State Governments – Given the likely impacts of an industry restructure facing many wine-growing regions across Australia, many regional and rural communities and businesses will be affected. While industry has been consulted well, effective engagement with the Australian Government and State Governments is still required to ensure that they are brought into the plan and will provide resourcing and support to industry in achieving transformative outcomes.
  • Expectation management with industry – At the outset of the consultation process for the One Sector Grape and Wine plan, industry acknowledged that the sands had shifted in relation to the Australian wine industry’s strategic operating environment (e.g. exports to China, COVID, etc), and that previous plans (AGW Vision 2050 and the Wine Australia 2020-2025 strategic plan) were therefore somewhat redundant, and could benefit from a ‘refresh’. This updated One Grape and Wine Sector plan was initially sold to the industry as being transformative, noting that the red meat sector had recently developed a similar plan, which was a game changer for that sector. The Australian wine industry expected a plan that was going to show the transformative leadership and actions required to position it for future success. Stating in the Introduction on page 3 that the plan “is a high-level directional strategy for the entire sector, designed to inform the strategies, activities and priorities of the many distinct businesses and bodies that make up our sector” is not what the industry expected. It comes across as a plan to plan, and this perception will now need to be managed accordingly.
  • Lack of action – The majority of the action statements in the draft plan emphasise continuing and enhancing existing activities rather than reflecting a need to change in response to the challenges that the industry faces. In many cases, action statements could be re-written in a way that aligns with SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) criteria and moves beyond a continuation of current activities.
  • Confusing action statements – The draft One Grape and Wine Sector plan contains ~80 action statements titled ‘To do this, we will’ in boxes throughout the plan. Much of the text within these boxes lacks clarity, is imprecise and hard to interpret (e.g. ‘Continue to deliver and evolve mentoring and leadership programs across the length and breadth of the sector while prioritising equality of opportunity measures aimed at strengthening diversity and inclusion perspectives’). As such, the plan would benefit from a simplification of the text of many of these action statements to make the proposed actions easier to understand and evaluate.
  • Omission of AWRI – While the draft plan outlines the collective goals and directions for our sector, it is considered important to address an obvious gap in the documentation – the explicit exclusion of the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) from key sections of the Plan. Given AWRI’s significant role as industry’s own research and extension organisation, backed by substantial investment from Wine Australia through industry levies, its absence in the list of key sector bodies supporting the success of the grape and wine sector (page 11) is a notable gap. Given the track record and critical role of AWRI in driving research and innovation for the sector for nearly 70 years, its inclusion in the plan is not just a matter of acknowledgment but a reflection of the comprehensive and collaborative approach required for a successful sector in the future. The AWRI’s expertise and human capital contribute to the sector’s growth, innovation, and adaptation to challenges, aligning closely with the plan’s long-term vision for a resilient, profitable and sustainable grape and wine business. In addition, given AWRI’s active participation in the industry consultation meetings held across Australia, not to be acknowledged on page 46 is an oversight that should also be addressed.

The AWRI appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the One Grape and Wine Sector draft plan and anticipates significant revisions in the final version to reflect input from the broader sector. If additional detail or clarification on any of the issues and comments raised would be useful, we would welcome the opportunity to provide it. The AWRI is committed to ensuring that the final One Grape and Wine Sector plan robustly addresses the sector’s needs and stands ready to assist in refining it further.

A wet season update – managing fungal diseases between veraison and harvest

11 January 2024 >

11 January 2024

During the Christmas and New Year period, extensive rainfall, and hail in some regions, affected several grapegrowing regions in Australia. These conditions were conducive to the development of fungal diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew and Botrytis in grapevines. Tools and resources available to grapegrowers and winemakers to manage disease assessments are detailed within this Ask the AWRI article on assessing grapes for disease.

Looking ahead, the forecast for rainfall from January to March suggests a likelihood of above-median rainfall in the south-east, while the north and west of Australia may experience below-median rainfall. Immediate action is crucial to mitigate the risk of significant crop losses from fungal disease. This eBulletin outlines strategies to reduce both the risk and severity of fungal infections during periods of heightened disease pressure.

General tips for best-practice disease control
In high-vigour blocks, consider shoot thinning, trimming, leaf removal and bunch thinning to enhance canopy openness, allowing better light and air penetration. This practice not only accelerates canopy drying post-rainfall but also facilitates improved spray penetration and chemical deposition.

Vineyard floor management, such as keeping mid-row cover crops low to support airflow and canopy drying, is another strategy to put in place. In addition, if a neighbouring vineyard has opted to ‘rest’ their block, a strategic approach could involve treating a few boundary rows to mitigate disease pressure stemming from those vines.

Chemical options for powdery mildew, downy mildew and Botrytis control are listed in the ‘Dog book’. These recommendations are for fruit destined for export wine. Agrochemicals applied to fruit destined for the domestic wine market have shorter withholding periods and these are found on the label. Ensure you consult with your grape purchaser or the AWRI if you are considering chemical options that do not follow the ‘Dog book’ recommendations for export wine.

Effective spray coverage is critical for successful disease control. Test your spray coverage using water sensitive papers or a kaolin-based clay sunscreen. Once your equipment is set up well, check that you’re applying the correct chemical rate to avoid underdosing. Operating a spray unit in the same direction for every spray application runs the risk of missing the same hard-to-reach parts of the canopy each time, potentially creating a disease hotspot. Spraying in a different pattern so that the opposite direction is travelled up the row has potential to improve overall coverage.

Ask your supplier about available products and their features, particularly regarding rainfastness (the ability of a product to remain on the target after rain or heavy dew). Different products perform differently during prolonged wet periods. Also, check the compatibility of these products with adjuvants designed to improve rainfastness. The relationship between spray coverage and retention is a function of agrochemical mixes and rates, spray application volumes, canopy type and the target canopy tissues (leaves, wood or bunches of fruit) (Gaskin et al. 2002). Choosing the right product for the current conditions is crucial, as it might differ from what’s suitable during drier years.

In situations where resources and time are constrained, prioritisation becomes crucial. Identify your most profitable blocks and concentrate on securing a healthy crop from those areas. Monitoring is important and instructions on how to recognise powdery mildew, downy mildew and Botrytis are provided in the resources linked below.

Downy mildew
Applying preventative sprays prior to an infection event is crucial to controlling downy mildew in wet years. Fungicides are in high demand during wet seasons, so keeping a chemical supply available is wise. Most registered products for downy mildew act as protectants. Avoid using these on an active infection to prevent resistance, which could lead to losing the efficacy of the product in the future. If you have had a downy mildew infection event and are using a metalaxyl (group 4) for curative control, then a second group 4 spray on a 7–10-day interval is required.

While the AWRI website provides information on phosphorous acid use, it is crucial to communicate with your winery or grape purchaser before applying this product. Some export markets maintain low tolerance for phosphorus acid residues, necessitating careful consideration before its use.

Additional downy mildew resources

Powdery mildew
The optimal strategy for combatting powdery mildew involves consistent application of protective chemicals early in the season to protect all growth from this disease. Preventing its establishment in the initial stages is pivotal for minimising the disease load later on. Unfortunately, this season posed challenges, hindering the application of early sprays in numerous vineyards or diluting those already applied due to heavy rain periods. These conditions have heightened the risk of powdery outbreaks. In such scenarios, taking preventive action to avoid a widespread powdery disease epidemic becomes absolutely essential.

Elemental sulfur is a multi-site fungicide which is not susceptible to resistance and has some curative activity. To gain control of an existing infection using sulfur, good spray coverage is essential. An active powdery mildew infection may repel water, so ensuring adequate spray coverage is crucial. Consider using an adjuvant to enhance coverage on challenging-to-wet surfaces. Some sulfur products include built-in adjuvants, enhancing their spread on plant surfaces. For other sulfur products, consult your chemical supplier to determine if an adjuvant is needed to improve spread.

Some production zones across Australia are experiencing earlier ripening conditions compared to previous seasons. Ensure applications of sulfur adhere to the pre-harvest cut-off timeframes if used for late-season powdery mildew management.

Some single-site chemicals exhibit curative activity against powdery mildew but using them on active infections is not advised due to the heightened risk of resistance development. CropLife Australia recommends applying single-site fungicides preventatively before colony formation for effective powdery mildew control.

Additional powdery mildew resources

Botrytis bunch rot
Late-season Botrytis expression can create significant challenges for growers formulating strategies for variable site locations and varietal mixes. This requires a sound understanding of the pathogen and how it interacts with various late-season fungicide modes of actions. Many biological fungicides provide optimal protection when used prior to visual expression of disease symptoms. Disease control may be less than optimal when products are employed reactively for curative purposes. All spray options for late-season Botrytis management require good coverage of bunches and berries. Strategic canopy and fruit zone management not only enhance spray droplet coverage but also promote better airflow around the bunch zone.

When Botrytis is already evident in tightly clustered bunches, causing juice leakage from the berries, spraying might not be effective. In such cases, hand removal of affected bunches or selective harvesting may be an option. Controlling for downy and powdery will also help manage Botrytis.

Research from New Zealand suggests that maintaining 70-90% bunch exposure by selectively removing leaves from late flowering to pre-harvest significantly reduces Botrytis risk (Andrew and Lupton 2013). However, caution is necessary with leaf plucking to avoid sunburn, especially in hot regions, if excessive leaf removal occurs later in summer.

Botrytis can cause problems during winemaking as it produces an oxidative enzyme called laccase, which, in the presence of oxygen, can cause oxidative spoilage and rapid browning of must. Laccase activity is the main marker for Botrytis infection and can be detected using enzymatic test kits so it is advised to have these ordered or in stock. Botrytis can produce polysaccharides that cause clarification problems in juice and filtration issues in wine. It can also impart mouldy flavours, and together with bacteria, increase the chance of elevated levels of acetic and lactic acid. The AWRI fact sheet Managing Botrytis-infected fruit, must and wine details winemaking strategies for processing both white and red grapes affected by Botrytis.

Additional Botrytis resources

Don’t forget to look after yourself and your mates
When conditions are challenging, it can increase stress and add to existing pressures. Check on your mates and if you are in a difficult spot, it is important to talk about it. There is help available in your local community and from these organisations: Beyond Blue, Lifeline, Headspace, R U OK?, Black Dog Institute.

Additional resources on fungal diseases and dealing with wet conditions

Acknowledgements
This eBulletin is supported by Wine Australia with levies from Australia’s grapegrowers and winemakers and matching funding from the Australian Government. Liz Riley (Vitibit), Warren Birchmore, Philip Deverell (Pernod Ricard Winemakers) and Scott Paton (Nutrien Ag Solutions) are thanked for their contributions.

For more information or assistance, please contact the AWRI helpdesk on 08 8313 6600 or helpdesk@awri.com.au.

 

Christmas closure and support during the break

18 December 2023 >
18 November 2023

The AWRI will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period from midday on Friday, 22 December and will re-open at 8:30am on Tuesday, 2 January 2024. Most AWRI staff will be on leave until Monday, 8 January 2024.

Affinity Labs 
Affinity Labs will be closed from midday on Friday, 22 December and will re-open at 9:00am on Monday, 8 January 2024.

Helpdesk support 
AWRI helpdesk staff will be on leave from Friday, 22 December 2023 to Monday, 8 January 2024.

Telephone support will be available for urgent or emergency assistance during this period. If you require urgent assistance, please contact:

  • Geoff Cowey on 0448 736 145 for winemaking issues
  • Mardi Longbottom on 0431 830 922 for viticulture issues.

For less urgent queries, please email helpdesk@awri.com.au and the team will get back to you after 8 January 2024.

Smoke testing and support  
If there is major smoke event over the Christmas/New Year period, AWRI and Affinity Labs staff will return to work to ensure testing services and technical support are available.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia support  
For any enquiries about Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, please email helpdesk@awri.com.au and the team will get back to you after 8 January 2024.

Library 
The John Fornachon Memorial Library will be closed from midday on Friday, 22 December and will re-open at 9:00am on Monday, 15 January 2024. Access to the library’s online database will continue to be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week via the AWRI website.

November 2023 Technical Review available now

29 November 2023 >

This issue’s Technical Note focuses on the results of recent work in identifying typical values for fats, proteins and salt in Australian wines that will assist Australian producers with new European Union wine labelling changes for wines produced after 8 December 2023.

Read the latest publications on alternative packaging such as cans and lighter bottles, saving energy on winery refrigeration, comsumer reponse to wine made from smoke-affected grapes, and using organic mulches as an alternative for under-vine weed management.

Australian winemakers and grapegrowers who pay the Wine Grapes or Grape Research levies can log in to read abstracts and order the latest non-open access journal articles from the AWRI Library, free of charge. Register a new login or use the forgotten password link to reset your password.

We welcome your feedback on Technical Review and you can reach us at infoservices@awri.com.au.

Below is a snapshot of what’s in this issue.

Technical Note

Typical values for fats, proteins and salt in Australian wine for nutritional labelling

AWRI Publications

  • Alternative packaging and wine: Should we move beyond the green bottle? [Request copy from AWRI Library] Wine & Viticulture Journal
  • Ask the AWRI: Does having thick skin pay off when it comes to measuring sugar in grapes? [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Ask the AWRI: Gases – we have you covered [Read full-text online] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Consumer response to wine made from smoke-affected grapes [Request copy from AWRI Library] Wine & Viticulture Journal
  • Enhancing the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of warm climate red wine through blending [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Metagenomic ecosystem monitoring of soft scale and mealybug infestations in Australian vineyards [Read full-text online] bioRxiv
  • Trialling autonomous under-vine weed management in Australian vineyards [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Understanding consumers’ perceptions of smoke-affected wines [Read full-text online] IVES Technical Reviews: Wine & Vine
  • Understanding the costs and benefits of producing a wine-grape crop in low market demand years [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Vintage 2023 – observations from the AWRI helpdesk [Read full-text online] Wine & Viticulture Journal

Oenology

  • Colour properties and tannin concentrations of polymeric phenolic materials extracted from Pinot noir wines of a single NZ producer [Read full-text online] International Journal of Food Science & Technology
  • Exploring the effect of ripening rates on the composition of aroma and phenolic compounds in Cabernet Sauvignon wines [Read full-text online] Internet Journal of Viticulture and Enology
  • High-temperature drying of red grape pomace: Effects on the polyphenolic composition of skins and seeds [Read full-text online] Internet Journal of Viticulture and Enology
  • Adaptive cooling control: Improved version of pulse cooling provides greater energy efficiencies [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Birth of the cool: Innovation in winery air conditioning systems [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Towards net zero in the winery [Request copy from AWRI Library] Wine & Viticulture Journal
  • Creating cleaner, taint-free natural corks [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Migration of polyphenols from natural and microagglomerated cork stoppers to hydroalcoholic solutions and their sensory impact [Read full-text online] Oeno One
  • Packaging of wine in aluminum cans – a review [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] American Journal of Enology and Vititculture
  • Switching to lighter bottles: The beneficial domino effect for wineries [Read full-text online] Wine Business Monthly
  • Mouthfeel subqualities in wines: A current insight on sensory descriptors and physical-chemical markers [Read full-text online] Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety
  • Sensory and aroma impact of mitigation strategies against sunburn in Riesling [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Having a drink with awkward Brett: Brettanomyces, taste(s) and wine/markets [Read full-text online] New Zealand Geographer
  • Impact of smoke from wheat, oat, and clover stubble burning on cabernet sauvignon grapes and wine [Read full-text online] Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research
  • Does bunch or berry size matter? [Read full-text online] New Zealand Winegrower
  • Exploring the winemaker’s arsenal: Options for gases, additives and skin contact [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • The technology of high-power ultrasound and its effect on the color and aroma of Rosé wines [Read full-text online] Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture
  • Wine acidification methods: A review [Read full-text online] OENO One

Sustainability

Viticulture

  • Thwarting the threat of winter frosts: What an approaching El Nino climate event may mean for winegrowers [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Future climate and the impact on wine: Predictable or uncertain? [Read full-text online] The World of Fine Wine
  • Future scenarios of bioclimatic viticulture indices in the Eastern Mediterranean: insights into sustainable vineyard management in a changing climate [Read full-text online] Sustainability
  • Factors influencing Pinot noir berry weight and resulting wine quality [Read full-text online] New Zealand Winegrower
  • How to better estimate bunch number at vineyard level? [Read full-text online] Oeno One
  • Brand new breeds [Read full-text online] New Zealand Winegrower
  • Consumer acceptance of fungus-resistant grape varieties – An exploratory study using sensory evaluation tests among consumers in Germany [Read full-text online] Sustainability
  • New findings and actions in the recovery of old Mediterranean grapevine varieties [Read full-text online] Vitis
  • Saline-alkaline stress resistance of Cabernet sauvignon grapes grafted on different rootstocks and rootstock combinations [Read full-text online] Plants
  • Management of grapevine trunk disease using remedial surgery [Read full-text online] New Zealand Winegrower
  • Susceptibility of grapevine sucker and green shoot wounds to trunk disease pathogens [Read full-text online] South African Journal of Enology and Viticulture
  • Tech development aids phylloxera detection [Request copy from AWRI Library] Australian & New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker
  • Variation in susceptibility to Downy mildew Infection in Spanish minority vine varieties [Read full-text online] Plants
  • Influence of the application of charred and uncharred spent coffee grounds on soil carbon and nitrogen cycles [Read abstract online] [Request copy from AWRI Library] Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science
  • Organic mulches as an alternative for under-vine weed management in Mediterranean irrigated vineyards: Impact on agronomic performance [Read full-text online] European Journal of Agronomy
  • An operational model for capturing grape ripening dynamics to support harvest decisions [Read full-text online] OENO One
  • Delay in the ripening of wine grapes: Effects of specific phytotechnical methods on harvest parameters [Read full-text online] Agronomy
  • Best procedures for leaf and stem water potential measurements in grapevine: Cultivar and water status matter [Read full-text online] Plants

2023 AWRI Board election result

28 November 2023 >

An election for a position on the AWRI Board was recently held in the medium Wine Grapes Levy payer category (2,001 – 50,000 tonnes). Nominations were also called for candidates to contest an election in the small Wine Grape Levy payer category (up to 2,000 tonnes). Only one nomination was received in that category and therefore the candidate was automatically elected.

The AWRI is pleased to announce that Brett McClen (Brown Family Wine Group, Vic.) was re-elected in the medium category and Corrina Wright (Oliver’s Taranga and Oliver & Press Winemakers, SA) was re-elected in the small category.

Brett McClen is Head of Viticulture and Sustainability for Brown Family Wine Group. In this role he oversees all the company’s grapegrowing across a total of 830 ha of vineyards located across the Murray Valley, King Valley, Heathcote and Tasmania. He is also responsible for the company’s sustainability agenda as well as the Infrastructure and Reliability portfolio. Brett has an Honours degree in Agriculture Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He has served two terms as a Director of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and one term as a Director of the AWRI.
Corrina Wright is winemaker and director at the helm of sixth generation family business, Oliver’s Taranga, plus new contract processing facility Oliver & Press Winemakers in McLaren Vale. She was awarded the ASVO Winemaker of the Year 2019 for her contribution to the wine community. She graduated from the prestigious Len Evans Tutorial in 2005 and continues to judge and chair numerous wine shows around Australia. Her commitment to the wine industry in Australia was rewarded with a position on the inaugural ‘Future Leaders – Succession for the Australian Wine Industry’ program in 2006. Passionate about her home, her vocation and local community she has also served on the boards of the McLaren Vale Grape, Wine & Tourism Association, the Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology, Family Business Australia, and the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia. She is currently part of the Australian Women in Wine Awards advisory board, the Diversity, Equality & Inclusion committee for Australian Grape & Wine and has served one term as a Director of the AWRI.

Both Directors will commence their new elected terms on 1 January 2024. The term of outgoing Board member Liz Riley concluded on 31 October 2023 following 12 years on the AWRI Board, and the term of Nigel Sneyd will conclude on 31 December 2023. The AWRI thanks Liz and Nigel for their significant contributions over their time on the AWRI Board.

AWRI Board election – voting closing soon

14 November 2023 >

14 November 2023

Voting is now open in the election for a vacant position on the AWRI Board of Directors in the medium (2,001 – 50,000 tonnes p.a.) Wine Grapes Levy payer (wine producer) category.

Levy payers in the medium category nominated the following candidates:

Brett McClen (Brown Family Wine Group, Vic)
Courtney Ribbons (Pernod Ricard Winemakers, SA)

Voting instructions and candidate profiles are available on the AWRI website or you can access the voting page directly. The ballot will close at 5:00 pm CST on Friday,17 November 2023.

Levy payers in the medium category are strongly encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate. This is an excellent opportunity to have a say in electing a candidate that can contribute to the Australian grape and wine research and development agenda.

Need help deciding if you are eligible to vote in this election?

The Wine Grapes Levy (WGL) is the levy payable on grapes used in the winemaking process. A medium WGL payer is an organisation that crushes between 2,001 and 50,000 tonnes of grapes per annum. Only medium WGL payers are eligible to vote.

The election will be conducted electronically with assistance from Elections Australia Pty Ltd.

For further information please contact the Returning Officer, Shiralee Dodd at returningofficer@awri.com.au.

Preparing for frosts and managing frost-affected vines

3 November 2023 >

3 November 2023

El Niño seasons are known for clear cloudless days, lower rainfall, higher day temperatures and lower night temperatures, which together increase the chance of frosts. The AWRI helpdesk has recently received reports of frost damage to grapevines from regions across SA, WA, Victoria, NSW and the ACT. This eBulletin outlines key factors to consider when deciding what action to take after a frost and points to some useful resources to learn more about frosts and how to mitigate against them.

Due to the variable nature of frosts (temperature and duration) combined with the variability of vineyards (growth-stage, variety, pruning system, target yield, value and quality etc) and the variable growing season duration between regions, there is no single or simple answer to the question of what to do after a frost. The key factors to consider are outlined below when deciding how to respond to a frosted vineyard situation by assessing a few different scenarios.

The desire to act quickly after a frost is strong because you are seeing your vines in trouble, and you want to do something. The best thing you can do is to wait at least a week to assess the extent of the damage. Frost symptoms on leaves can show after a few days, while the impact on inflorescences can take a week or more to appear. It is also sensible to wait until the risk of frost has gone before acting, because another frost could change your plans. When the risk of frost has passed, conduct a careful vineyard assessment of where the damaged vines are and the extent and severity of the damage. If you decide you are going to take action, it is then recommended not to delay because the vine is expending energy to adjust to what has occurred.

Scenario 1. Light frost

If the assessment reveals that the damage to the crop is light overall, no immediate action is required. The damaged tissue may be susceptible to Botrytis if wet weather follows the frost, so this should be considered in future disease management strategies.

Scenario 2. Severe frost early in the season (up to E-L 11)

If the shoots were small and subjected to a severe frost (up to E-L 11, four leaves separated), there is no need to act because the vine will replace the lost primary shoots with a secondary shoot and the damaged shoot will shrivel up over time. The replacement shoot will not be as fruitful as the primary shoot, but there should be a crop and fruit development should be relatively uniform. The secondary shoots should have time to lignify at the end of the season and provide good pruning options. Once new growth emerges and has reached E-L 12, a nitrogen application can assist the new growth as the vines used up their early season reserves.

 Scenario 3. Frost damage post E-L 11

The most difficult situation to manage is where a moderate frost occurs in a vineyard at a growth stage later than E-L 12. When well-developed primary shoots are only partially damaged and the shoot tip is killed, lateral shoots will be strongly stimulated to grow from the leaf axis on the healthy parts of the primary shoot. In this situation, there is the possibility of fruit setting from inflorescences that survived on the primary shoots as well as those coming from secondary shoots that burst plus any fruit from laterals. At harvest, this leads to variable ripeness and poor fruit quality. This lateral growth can also lead to a crowded canopy and those shoots provide poor pruning material for the following season.

Trials that have assessed post-frost options (largely ‘do nothing’ vs removing damaged primary shoots) have had variable outcomes. In terms of yield the following season, neither approach is consistently better. A ‘do nothing’ strategy is cost-effective in the season in which the frost occurred, but it can come at the expense of the following season when pruning options are poorer and yield is impacted as a result. Action to remove the damaged primary shoots down to the compound bud to encourage a secondary shoot is an expense that needs to be considered in terms of the impact that it has on fruit quality in the current season as well as at pruning time. For cane-pruned vineyards, having good replacement canes is critical and the ‘do nothing’ strategy may not be conducive to this.

Considerations when deciding what action to take:

  • Length of the growing season: In a cool region, is there time to fully ripen a new crop? If not, the only option for a ripe crop this season is to focus on the fruit remaining on primary shoots after the frost.
  • Wine quality expectations: Can you tolerate a lower grade of fruit caused by uneven ripening? If not, removing green bunches at veraison may be necessary.
  • Pruning: Can you tolerate poor-quality replacement canes and spurs? If not, then intervening post-frost may be necessary.
  • Assess the cost of any proposed action: A small trial can tell you the time it takes to undertake a post-frost intervention. Assign a value to this time and assess against the value of the crop or other potential benefits.
  • Inputs: Is there an opportunity to reduce some inputs to reflect the lighter crop? The cost/benefit ratio of managing a lower yielding crop needs to be considered. The season has already started and now is potentially starting over. It is difficult to spend more than what was intended for the year, so consider if some management operations and vineyard passes are still necessary.

Frost warnings

Designed for agriculture, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) provides Frost potential maps, which show forecast low temperature thresholds for various locations across Australia. The maps are updated each day and show forecasts for the next 48 hours. More information about the Bureau of Meteorology’s frost risk outlook and frost warning service can be found in this AWRI webinar (5 September 2019). Some regions and associations have additional weather stations and/or frost warning services.

Ways to reduce the risk of frost damage

Passive methods include site selection, soil management, trellis design, variety choice and pruning method/timing. For established vineyards, active methods require energy to reduce longwave radiation loss to the sky, or to directly warm the air near to the soil. These include sprinklers, air mixing, heating and foliar sprays. More information on these methods can be found in the following resources:

 Additional information:

 Further assistance

For assistance with frost or any other technical viticulture or winemaking topic, contact the AWRI helpdesk on (08) 8313 6600 or helpdesk@awri.com.au.

Acknowledgements

Liz Riley (Vitibit) and Dr Peter Dry are thanked for their contributions to this eBulletin.

This work 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, SA.

AWRI Board election – voting now open

26 October 2023 >

26 October 2023

Voting is now open in the election for a vacant position on the AWRI Board of Directors in the medium (2,001 – 50,000 tonnes p.a.) Wine Grapes Levy payer (wine producer) category.

Levy payers in the medium category nominated the following candidates:

Brett McClen (Brown Family Wine Group, Vic)
Courtney Ribbons (Pernod Ricard Winemakers, SA)

Voting instructions and candidate profiles are available on the AWRI website or you can access the voting page directly. The ballot will close at 5:00 pm CST on Friday,17 November 2023.

Levy payers in the medium category are strongly encouraged to vote for their preferred candidate. This is an excellent opportunity to have a say in electing a candidate that can contribute to the Australian grape and wine research and development agenda.

Nominations were also called for in the small (less than 2,000 tonnes p.a.) Wine Grapes Levy Payer category. As only one nomination was received in that category, an election is not required. The AWRI is pleased to announce that Corrina Wright of Oliver’s Taranga has been re-elected to the position of small Wine Grapes Levy Payer Director.

Need help deciding if you are eligible to vote in this election?

The Wine Grapes Levy (WGL) is the levy payable on grapes used in the winemaking process. A medium WGL payer is an organisation that crushes between 2,001 and 50,000 tonnes of grapes per annum. Only medium WGL payers are eligible to vote.

The election will be conducted electronically with assistance from Elections Australia Pty Ltd.

VOTING PERIOD NOW OPEN
The ballot is now open and voting has commenced. The ballot will close at 5:00 pm CST on Friday, 17 November 2023.

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
1.         Go to: http://www.myvote.com.au/awri and follow the instructions.

  1. Enter the name of the levy payer (the organisation liable to pay the levy) and the person submitting the vote on behalf of the levy payer.
  2. Cast your vote.

A levy payer organisation may only vote once in this election. The following representatives are eligible to vote on behalf of the levy payer organisation:

  • Sole owner
  • Partner of a partnership
  • Director (or Director equivalent) of a Company or group of Companies.

Results of the election will be announced in the week commencing 27 November 2023 via the AWRI’s eBulletin and will also be published on the AWRI website.

For further information please contact the Returning Officer, Shiralee Dodd at returningofficer@awri.com.au.

REMINDER to nominate for Director elections

17 October 2023 >

17 October 2023

Nominations are closing this Friday for two levy payer-elected Director positions on the Board of The Australian Wine Research Institute Ltd (AWRI). The AWRI Board includes three people who are nominated and/or elected by Wine Grapes Levy payers and one person who is nominated and/or elected by Grape Research Levy payers, with terms of three years. In accordance with the Constitution of the AWRI, two of these positions become vacant on 31 December 2023: one in the small Wine Grapes Levy payer category and one in the medium Wine Grapes Levy payer category.

 

This is an excellent opportunity for an interested candidate to become involved in the Australian wine industry’s own R&D organisation and, in addition to their other duties and responsibilities, provide a ‘coalface’ perspective to the direction and priorities of AWRI’s research, development, extension and commercialisation activities.

 

Current levy payers are invited to nominate suitably qualified candidates for the vacant positions. Nominations must be made in writing on the official nomination form which is available from the Election and Appointment of Directors page on the AWRI website. Eligible levy payers may propose or second one nomination only.

 

Nominations are to be received by post to The Returning Officer, The Australian Wine Research Institute Ltd, PO Box 197, Glen Osmond SA 5064 or by email to returningofficer@awri.com.au NO LATER THAN 5 PM FRIDAY, 20 October 2023. If more than one nomination is received in each category, an election in that category will be conducted during November 2023.

 

Nominees are encouraged to prepare a profile/statement of not more than 250 words, including a photograph, in support of their nomination, for use in the event that an election is required. The profile/statement must also be received by the AWRI Returning Officer by the nomination deadline of this Friday, 20 October 2023.

 

More information is available in the nomination form regarding:

  • the definition of small and medium Wine Grape levy payers
  • the clauses of the AWRI Constitution dealing with the election of Directors by levy payers and their term of office.

A form can also be requested by contacting Shiralee Dodd, the Returning Officer, by email at returningofficer@awri.com.au.