The South Australian Wine Story

The winner of the prestigious Maurice O’Shea Award in 2012 was not a person or even an organisation. It was an idea – the Australian Screwcap Initiative. Thirteen wineries in the Clare Valley started a revolution when they released their showcase Rieslings under screwcap in 2000. Other wineries and regions followed, and today wines of the quality of Penfolds Bin 707, Petaluma Coonawarra and Wolf Blass Platinum Label Shiraz are all released only under screwcap. It was the biggest single development anywhere in the world this century to protect the integrity of the very best wines – and it perfectly captured the innovative spirit of the industry in South Australia. Australia’s major grape and wine research and development agencies – AWRI, CSIRO and SARDI – are headquartered in South Australia, directing a well-funded, collaborative agenda that also involves leading national universities. From pioneering advancements in vineyard management to experimenting with new winemaking techniques or developing specialised instruments that can analyse wine directly through a bottle, things are constantly evolving. In 2007, for example, the Adelaide- based Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) played a critical role in establishing rotundone as the principal compound responsible for the peppery character often found in Australian Shiraz. In 2010, the University of Adelaide unveiled unique carbon dating techniques that can identify the age of even vintage wine to within a year – making it a significant new tool in the fight against the escalating problem of wine fraud. A year later, AWRI scientists were the first in the world to sequence the Brettanomyces genome, a breakthrough that allows winemakers to manage the yeast organism known as Brett, which can spoil wine with medicinal or metallic characters. Most recently AWRI upgraded its leading edge metabolomics research capability, enabling enhanced analysis of fermentation processes. University of Adelaide researchers are using genomics technologies to provide the first definitive scientific explanation of wine terroir and released VitiCanopy, a unique smartphone app that allows users to monitor vines and manage the required balance between vegetative growth and fruit production. Meanwhile, researchers at the University of South Australia are exploring whether drones can be used to provide accurate, immediate and cost- effective snapshots of the micro-climate anywhere in or above vineyards. Sensors are increasingly common in South Australian vineyards, as canopy management becomes more and more sophisticated, but there is still important work being done at ground level, and even below ground, to ensure vines are in peak condition. In late 2018, Wine Australia and the University of Adelaide signed a four-year, multi-million-dollar agreement to support and stimulate longer-term strategic wine research and development that will enable the Australian grape and wine sector to benefit from world-leading innovation. Key projects will include: • delivering tools to measure and understand the relationship between canopy architecture (including fruit exposure) and fruit and wine quality • providing knowledge on the causes and impact of berry cell death in wine grapes, including cost-effective mitigation strategies • providing new tools to schedule irrigation based on real-time measurements of vine water status • answering key questions surrounding undervine cover crops, so they can be used with greater confidence • improving the wine microbial tool kit available for fermentation, by providing yeast and bacteria specifically targeted to address sector requirements • producing resources that analyse the impact of trends and policies affecting global wine markets. Elsewhere, detailed research and new ideas are supporting the wine industry in adapting to the realities of climate change, from exploring new varieties best suited to changing conditions to helping viticulturists screen their vines from the sun and adjust their irrigation regimes based on real-time measurements of vine status. The Riverland region is a leader in exploring exciting “alternative varieties” – or what locals would call “appropriate” varieties. Alongside proven performers such as Shiraz and Chardonnay, Southern Mediterranean grapes such as Montepulciano, Vermentino and Nero d’Avola are thriving – and allowing for the creation of world-class wines with a unique twist. New varieties provide exciting new experiences for wine drinkers and keep the South Australian wine offering fresh, modern and enticing. Behind the scenes, new rootstocks and clones are being developed to give viticulturists more and more options. The Yalumba Nursery is leading the way in providing feedback and insights on how these new varieties are performing. No other company in Australia has such a comprehensive vine rootstock database. Innovation Shaping the future 10 The South Australian Wine Story Image: PIRSA