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News
Australian wine show shake up
The Australian wine show system is set for a shake up following discussions at a conference in the Hunter Valley over the weekend.
The conference was timed to celebrate the birthday of the late Len Evans, with a reunion of scholars of his highly respected Len Evans Tutorial (LET). Many of the country’s agricultural societies and wine show committees were represented at the talkfest, which has been hailed as a historic meeting of the minds for the Australian wine industry.
Australian wine shows have played a critical role in shaping Australia’s wine styles and trends to date, fostering improvement in viticulture, winemaking and marketing.
With the support of the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology (ASVO) wine shows, agricultural societies and others from industry will pursue the major recommendations made during the weekend over the coming months.
(L-R) wine writer Nick Ryan, LET Trustee Iain Riggs and wine blogger Dave Brooks
ASVO Wine Show Committee member Samantha Connew commented, “It is hoped that future changes that result from the reunion weekend will give consumers a better understanding of the integrity of the wine show system, as well as continuing to provide winemakers with the forum they need to benchmark their wines.”
Recommendations made during the conference include:
- • The establishment of an Association of Judges and a central register, similar to the current ASVO system, of current judges
- • The enhanced focus on consumer engagement and marketing and the importance of strong, relevant communication of wine show outcomes
- • The continued focus on best practice and the communication of agreed standards for the conduct of wine shows
- • A continued commitment of the agricultural societies to meet collectively
- • Moving the dialogue about the purpose of shows from “improving the breed” to the “pursuit of excellence”
I wasn’t there, but if I had to make an assessment based on the outcomes above, I would say absolutely nothing was acheived except possibly the consumption of lots of good wine. Let’s analyse this:-
– ‘The continuance’ (of anything) does not suggest the change of anything. Stated for two of the outcomes.
– The establishment of something that already exists. Hardly froundbreaking.
– A change of slogan. While placating journalists, acheives nothing.
– Lastly, the renewed vigourous advertising of the results, which only endorses these bygone shows with little relevancy to the wine world.
I hope the wine was good!