by Meininger’s Wine Business International

Australian wine exports to Asia showed solid value growth in the year ending August 2008, increasing by 6% to A$262m (€149m), according to statistics just released by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. That growth resulted...

by Kevin McCallum at the Press Democrat

One of the earliest grape harvests on record in Sonoma County also is shaping up to be one of the shortest, as vinters scramble to haul in an early, rapidly ripening crop. Scorching temperatures and fogless mornings are rapidly ripening the light crop, challenging crews to get the grapes off the vine and into local wineries.

by Sophie Kevany

An increase in a fatal vine disease known as ‘maladie du bois’, or wood sickness, in Bordeaux, Cognac and Gascony, has led to calls for an area of southwest France to be declared in a state of emergency.

an analysis by Cees van Casteren

The Netherlands has seen the price of an average bottle of wine in a supermarket rise from €2.71 in 2007 to more than €3.00 by March 2008, despite the Dutch market’s reputation for being competitive and low priced.

by Sophie Kevany

Two French nationals found guilty of faking and selling bottles of wine on eBay were this week sentenced to an eight month suspended prison sentence and fines of over €13,000.

by Elsebeth Lohfert

The average intake of wine by the Danes has increased 50% in the period from 1995 to 2003-2006. And for the latter period, Danish women consumed a similar amount of wine as men, but far less beer, according to a report just published by the National Food Institute. 

by Dr Jamie Goode

The World Sauvignon Congress, held in Styria at the end of August 2008 brought together 250 delegates from 30 countries. The clearest theme to emerge was the importance of New Zealand’s Marlborough region in raising the profile of this variety.

by Sophie Kevany

A new test to identify fine wine fakes bottles has been developed by French nuclear scientists, in conjunction with an English merchant, the Antique Wine Company.  The test measures the x-rays emitted by energised ions in the glass bottle, and has been in development since 2005, by researchers at Arcane, the nuclear study centre in Bordeaux, which works with the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).

by Michèle Shah

Thunderstorms brought hail and 100km winds, devastating a range of Italy’s Brunello di Montalcino vineyards.  The mid-August storm was concentrated in the southwestern part of the zone, taking a path that led it from Monte Amiata to Sant’Angelo in Colle and then back to Castelnuovo del Abate near the abbey of Sant’Antimo. 

from Jerry Hirsch at The Los Angeles Times

Growers and vintners estimate this year's crop in the state could be 20% smaller than in 2007, thanks to bad weather. As California's winemakers begin the 2008 harvest, they are scrambling to find enough Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.