England set for cool climate symposium

English Wine Producers hosted an official launch event at ProWein yesterday for the International Cool Climate Wine Symposium 2016, revealing early details of the programme.

Among the speakers confirmed so far are Jancis Robinson MW, who will open the symposium, and New Zealand viticulturalist Dr Mike Trought of the Marlborough Research Centre, who will lead a session of achieving vine balance. Meanwhile Professor Charles Spence from the Oxford University Department of Experimental Psychology will address delegates on the subject of wine sensory evaluation.

A keynote address on the subject of wine production in challenging climates will be given by one of China’s leading wine researchers, Professor Dr Huiquin Ma. Having trained at Stellenbosch University, she now holds a post at the College of Agriculture and Biotechnology at the University of Beijing.

Due to take place in Brighton from 26-28 May 2016, the event’s focus will range across areas including new grape varieties, emerging wine regions, new diseases and the latest research into tackling these problems, new ways to optimise fruit quality and how best to manage climate-based variability.

The symposium also promises a strong business and marketing angle, covering aspects such as consumer behaviour, emerging wine markets, wine tourism and how to market new regions or wines.

As host, England’s own wines will enjoy the spotlight through a series of masterclasses focused on both still and sparkling styles.

Running alongside the event will be an extensive programme for consumers, involving winemaker dinners and the inaugural Sussex International Food & Drink Festival, which will incorporate The Cool Wine Show, hosted by Laithwaites Wine.

“This symposium will be exciting, innovative and of tremendous value to the wine community,” promised Chris Foss, head of the wine department at Plumpton College and chair of the event’s International Advisory Panel, as he officially launched the ICCWS on the English Wine Producers’ stand at ProWein.

Highlighting the significance of this event for the English wine industry, Foss noted: “The ICCWS has a proven track record in putting host locations – all emerging cool climate regions – firmly onto the international fine wine map.”

For more information about the programme, Early Bird Tickets and other event details, visit www.iccws2016.com.