SOUTH AFRICAN WINE INDUSTRY CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL HONOURS
The South African wine industry has recently achieved two significant milestones on the international stage, showcasing the country’s growing influence and expertise in the global wine sector. In a historic moment, Yvette van der Merwe, Executive Manager of South Africa Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS), has been appointed President
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF WINEMAKING: Cape Winemakers Guild Protégé Programme
At South Africa Wine, we recognise that the future of our industry is as much about people as it is about producing excellent wine. Our involvement in the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) Protégé Programme reflects this belief as we invest significantly in young winemakers’ growth and career development. In 2024,
CHESTER CAPTURES HEARTS WITH HIS VOICE AT AGRI’S GOT TALENT FINAL
Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” filled the air at Dawn Mountains, Simondium, as Chester Fisch claimed victory at Agri’s Got Talent 2024 (AGT) on October 11th. Chester’s performance, complete with powerful vocals, dance moves, and undeniable charisma, captured the hearts of the audience and judges alike, making
New study to revolutionise grapevine leafroll identification using artificial intelligence
Stellenbosch University researchers are harnessing artificial intelligence to streamline the identification of grapevine leafroll disease, a significant threat to South Africa’s wine industry. A groundbreaking research project led by Prof Lizel Mostert at the Department of Plant Pathology, Stellenbosch University, is set to change how vineyard managers and workers identify
Fermentation temperature and sustainable winemaking
Over the years, winemakers have adopted a variety of commercially available microorganisms to control different aspects of fermentation. This has allowed for more consistent and manageable results, but as the wine industry evolves, new challenges and opportunities emerge. Today, consumer demand for sustainability is pushing winemakers to find ways to
A potentially different approach to combat grapevine viral diseases
RNA interference (RNAi) is a natural process that helps plants and other organisms defend against viruses. It is activated when the plant detects double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) from the virus. Scientists can also create synthetic dsRNA and apply it to plants, where it enters the plant’s system and triggers this defence
CULTIVATING DIVERSITY IN A GLASS: VUSI DALICUBA’S JOURNEY
Vusi Dalicuba is adding new award-winning wine notes as a young, black winemaker in South Africa, claiming the VinLog Merlot Trophy at the 2024 Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards for his 2022 Vergenoegd Löw Amalie Merlot. Vusi’s journey from a curious youth in Kayamandi, stealing grapes from neighbouring vineyards,
IN TRIBUTE: REST PEACEFULLY MAPASEKA (MAPS) LITABE
The South African wine industry mourns the loss of one of its brightest lights, Mapaseka “Maps” Litabe. Her passing has left a void in the hearts of many. Still, her legacy as a social influencer, a passionate advocate for wine, and a force for transformation and inclusivity in the industry
SADC-EU ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP: A BOOST FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S WINE INDUSTRY
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the European Union (EU), which was first implemented in 2016, continues to offer significant advantages to South Africa’s wine industry. By reducing tariffs and improving access to the EU market, the EPA has enabled South Africa to
ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT BETWEEN SA & EU
What is the history of the Economic Partnership Agreement between South Africa and the EU? The European Union (EU) and South Africa have a trade agreement relating to wine and spirits that forms part of a broader trade relationship between the two regions. The Agreement on Trade, Development and Cooperation
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THE EVOLUTION OF WORLD WINE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION BY COLOUR – OIV 2023 REPORT
This report on the Evolution of World Wine Production and Consumption by Colour has been prepared by the Statistics Department of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). Over the past decades, the world wine sector has seen an overall positive production and consumption trend of white and rosé
Choosing commercial yeasts
The two most important considerations for optimal fermentation are, firstly, the yeast(s) ability to ferment to dryness in the given conditions without becoming sluggish or stuck and within the time frame required for process optimisation, and secondly, the sensory profile of the yeast. These two aspects go hand in hand.
Ageing on lees
For many wines, ageing on the lees is fundamental to their production, most notably in traditional-method sparkling wines and white Burgundy. Producers of the former tout the time spent on lees as a quality indicator, and many still wines call out their sur lie production on the label. What the
The Shiraz Times November 2023
On 8 November 2023, Shiraz SA held their 16th annual technical seminar. During this event, the first edition of the Shiraz Times magazine was launched. The magazine is a South Africa Wine publication compiled for Shiraz SA to support the cultivar association in their knowledge transfer and marketing efforts of
FACTORS INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE UPTAKE BY PRACTITIONERS: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KNOWLEDGE
Various factors influence whether practitioners such as grape producers, viticulturists and winemakers will acquire new information. The previous two blogs discussed the influence of practitioners’ individual characteristics and the knowledge source’s characteristics. This blog discusses the characteristics of the knowledge itself and how it can influence knowledge uptake. The
confronting climate change (ccc) benchmark report 2023
CCC Benchmark Report 2023 The 2023 Confronting Climate Change (CCC) industry benchmark process builds on 2021 – 2022 datasets and provides a meaningful platform for the South African fruit and wine industries to improve their understanding of the use of fossil fuel-based resources and to reduce emissions over time. The
FACTORS INFLUENCING KNOWLEDGE UPTAKE BY PRACTITIONERS: CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KNOWLEDGE SOURCE
Many factors can influence practitioner knowledge uptake and utilisation. The first blog in the series dealt with the individual characteristics of practitioners. This second blog discusses the characteristics of the knowledge source and how it influences knowledge uptake. The two most important factors are the credibility of the knowledge provider
Factors influencing knowledge uptake by practitioners: Individual characteristics
Introduction This blog is the first in a series of four blogs that delve into the factors determining whether practitioners (e.g. producers, viticulturists and winemakers) will engage with new information presented to them. ‘New information’ in this context refers to anything new to you. It is your first time hearing
Settling before red wine fermentation
Results from a study presented by Encarna Gómez-Plaza at Enoforum Web Scientists Conference 2023 revealed that settling red juice and adding the grape skins/marc back to conduct the fermentation can increase the colour and tannin content of the final wine significantly. In fact, the anthocyanin and tannin concentrations were not
Shiraz Technical Seminar 2022
The annual Shiraz technical workshop is one of the most important events for any producer of Shiraz. Apart from local and international speakers addressing a broad spectrum of viticultural and oenological aspects of Shiraz production, the tastings also cover exciting elements such as clones, terroir and international wines. The Shiraz
