Cultivar differences in susceptibility to esca trunk disease
Esca is a severe vascular disease of the grapevine for which there is no cost-effective cure. Vines eventually die because of deficient sap flow and must be replaced at a high cost. Researchers from France investigated whether there are cultivar differences in the expression of foliar symptoms and vine dieback
ENCOURAGING A LEARNING CULTURE AND CAREER GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Kachné Ross, Manager of the People and Skills Development department, reports on two recent training projects that have yielded profound impacts on the sector and the broader community: the South Africa Wine Cellar Assistants Programme and the Leadership Development Programme for Production-Level Managers. “Firstly, individuals from diverse backgrounds have gained crucial skills
MOEDI WINES: A JOURNEY OF PASSION, PERSEVERANCE, AND PURPOSE
In the bustling global wine industry, Moedi Wines has emerged as a beacon of quality, authenticity, and purpose. Founded by dynamic young black entrepreneur Lesego Holzapfel, this South African wine brand has carved out a unique niche and sets a powerful example of drive, resilience, innovation, and impact. We caught
Ken Forrester on all things Chenin
In celebration of Chenin Blanc month, we caught up with Ken Forrester, Director and CEO of Ken Forrester Wines and the chairperson of the Chenin Blanc Association. June is International Chenin Blanc Month (Chenin Blanc Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday); as a top Chenin Blanc producer, how
Unlocking the future of Pinotage
In a pioneering effort to diversify and enhance the iconic South African wine grape Pinotage, an ambitious research project is making significant strides in generating new clones through induced mutations. The ongoing project, led by researchers Prof. Melané Vivier of the South African Grape and Wine Research Institute (SAGWRI) and
Agri’s Got Talent 2024: call for entries
Now in its 11th year, Agri’s Got Talent (AGT) invites South African agricultural workers to showcase their exceptional talents and contributions to the agricultural sector by entering the 2024 season. More than just a singing competition, AGT aims to highlight the immense talent within South Africa’s farming community while recognising
Sustainability Seal: Pioneering environmental responsibility
The South African wine industry is renowned for its diverse, high-quality wines and sustainability commitment. At the forefront of this commitment is the Sustainability Seal, a unique initiative that ensures wines are produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Introduced by the Wine and Spirit Board in 2010, this seal signifies
Commercial yeast nutrients and atypical ageing
Yeast nutrients, or yeast derivatives (YDs) as referred to in the referenced article, are widely used in winemaking to enhance fermentation, provide essential nutrients, and improve the sensory qualities of wine. These commercial products are derived from yeast colonies grown in bioreactors, inactivated, and dried. The compositional parameters of each
Reducing stress with overhead sprinklers during heatwaves
Heat waves are common during most seasons in many grape-growing regions. They negatively affect the quantity and quality of the crop, especially during water shortage periods. Proactive irrigation before these heat spikes is an effective mitigating strategy, but it requires a lot of water in a short time, which is
Agricultural Commodity Approach wins silver at Western Cape Government Service Excellence Awards
In a shining moment at the 2024 Western Cape Government Service Excellence Awards, the Agricultural Commodity Approach to Farm Enterprise development took centre stage, securing the prestigious silver award in the category of ‘Best Collaborative Programme/Project’. This recognition highlights the innovative synergy between the public and private sectors, underscoring the
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Introduction Wine is a complex beverage that undergoes various transformations during the winemaking process. One of the most critical phases during red wine production is malolactic fermentation (MLF), where malic acid is converted into lactic acid by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This process helps reduce acidity and significantly impacts wine
Methoxypyrazines in wine
If a wine seems “green”, “herbaceous”, or “vegetal”, aroma compounds called methoxypyrazines (MPs) could be responsible. MPs are particularly important due to their ubiquity in grapevines and their extremely low aroma thresholds. These low thresholds make MPs some of the most odor-active compounds found in wine. Occasionally, they can have
