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Sensorial insights into Top 12 Shiraz Challenge 2016 winners
The main aim of this work was to ascertain some sensorial characteristics associated with the top 12 wines compared to four wines that received the lowest scoring at the Shiraz Challenge. Wine competitions are useful marketing tools that can increase a product’s value...
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The use of cordless smart barrel bungs
The way of barrel closing has undergone a revolution over the years. Initially sand bags were used, followed by a hessian cloth with a flat wooden bung, which was replaced by a formed wooden bung and eventually by silicone bungs. The barrel bung, however, remains the...
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New Winetech projects for 2017 (Part 4)
1. Improving poor performing grapevines by means of root pruning or mulching Researcher: E. Moffat Spatial variability and grapevine underperformance are common challenges faced by grape growers. Root pruning is currently carried out as a practice based on growers’...
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To wine or not to wine?
The aim of this study was to try and obtain a better understanding of South African wine consumers, in this case, specifically consumers from the Gauteng area. The study focused on consumers’ relationships with wine, as well as the aspects affecting their purchase...
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Guava tree and cat’s pee (Part 2)
Volatile thiols in wine are important compounds contributing to the varietal character of especially Sauvignon blanc wine. Origin of volatile thiols The volatile thiols (4MMP and 3MH) are not present in grapes and are only released/formed from precursors to...
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How to reduce your carbon emissions
Introduction Confronting Climate Change has for a number of years provided a freely available carbon calculator tool. Apart from supporting the fruit- and wine industries of South Africa with the use of the tool through training opportunities and direct support, we...
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Guava tree and cat’s pee (Part 1)
Volatile thiols in wine are important compounds contributing to the varietal character of especially Sauvignon blanc wine. Introduction This paper aims to communicate the information and insights obtained from a visit to Marlborough, New Zealand in 2016....
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Shiraz wines made from vines with different training systems
The main aim of this study was to investigate the colour and phenolic evolution of Shiraz wines obtained with different training and canopy treatments. Phenolic compounds play an important role in the sensorial composition of red wines, such as Shiraz. However, how...
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Liming through drip irrigation
For optimal growth and yield, the soil pH has to be correct. Soil acidity may easily be a restrictive factor in terms of yield, unless fertilisation is applied correctly. Two main restraining factors of acidified soil on the plant’s productivity are nutritional...
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The new generation concrete tanks
Containers and wine cellars are practically synonymous, because neither can go without the other. Ceramic was already used as containers for the fermentation, storage and transport of wine during the Greek and Roman cultural periods. It does, however, appear that wine...
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New Winetech projects for 2017 (Part 3)
1. Investigating the spread of natural vitiviruses Researcher: Gerhard Pietersen During surveys of South African wine grape vineyards, various members of the vitivirus group were detected. The vitiviruses detected were very commonly observed in mixed infections with...
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VinPro Production Plan survey (Part 2)
Financial indicators of top performing wine grape producers Efficient usage of resources to maintain positive returns despite challenging times in the wine industry. VinPro Production Plan survey has imparted information on the wine industry for years, with 2016...
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The mystery that is Brett
How can you avoid the enigmatic scavenger, Brettanomyces bruxellensis, in your wine? The characters A horrible crime has been committed! An innocent bottle of wine has been infected. Those detestable aromas of barnyard, horse sweat, leather, cloves, vinegar and...
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Using MLF to create a buttery wine or not
Various factors influence the amount of diacetyl, acetoin and 2,3-butanediol produced during fermentation impacting the buttery aroma. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) is a secondary fermentation carried out by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). This process can occur...
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Understanding and measuring tannins in red wines
The importance of phenolic compounds on wine quality require methods that accurately measure the tannin content. Tannins are phenolic compounds that play an important role in the astringency perception of red wines. Tannins also are very complex molecules with...
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The Tuscan hillsides of Italy
Tuscany is situated on the western side of central Italy and stretches from the Tyrrhenian Sea to the low mountain range in the interior, which separates it from the neighbouring wine regions. The most important cities are Florence and Siena, but the well-known Pisa...
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New Winetech projects for 2017 (Part 2)
1. Ecology and management of Lobesia vanillana in vineyards Researcher: Pia Addison Lobesia vanillana is a pest species that was recently confirmed to attack wine grapes in the Western Cape. Grapes have not been listed as a host for this pest, therefore its ecology in...
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VinPro Production Plan survey 2016 (Part 1)
The 2016 harvest and the impact on the financial sustainability of primary wine grape producers According to the latest VinPro Production Plan survey, primary wine grape producers’ profits in 2016 were compromised by a smaller crop and steep increases in costs. In...
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