Australia's winemakers are uniquely placed with grape types which, if cloned, could challenge established varieties in major markets such as the USA. <\/p>\n
That is the view of Primary Research Scientist for Viticulture at South Australia's Research Development Institute Michael McCarthy. <\/p>\n
He has been involved in the testing of cloned grapes from warm regions. <\/p>\n
This is to gauge how they will perform in areas predicted to be warmer in 50 years' time due to climate change. <\/p>\n
\"Maybe the rest of the world might be more interested in some of our material,\" Dr McCarthy said. <\/p>\n
\"We have clones that just don't exist in the rest of the world anymore because our planting is clean. <\/p>\n
\"Phylloxera is not an issue, root-borne virus transmission is not an issue. We have planting material in Australia that is probably unique to the rest of the world.\" <\/p>\n
Dr McCarthy was in Orange in the central west of New South Wales discussing the issue with vignerons operating in the area known for its cool climate wines. <\/p>\n
Grapes cloned from one area of Australia may perform just as well in another region, although have different characteristics even within the new area. <\/p>\n
\"[We are] understanding how wine styles within regions may change as that region warms up going into the future,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"What we are trying to do is identify sites across Australia that have the same clones in common. <\/p>\n
\"We take out the clonal difference and look at the wine style from cool to hot regions. <\/p>\n
\"So if this currently cool region becomes a warm region in 50 years' time how will those wine styles change?\" <\/p>\n
The region is known for chardonnay, which is Australia's number one white wine export, despite a decline in domestic consumption in recent years. <\/p>\n
However this has changed with chardonnay enjoying a resurgence on the home tables. <\/p>\n
Winemakers from the Orange region pointed out that the style of wine can change just by planting vines at different heights above sea level. <\/p>\n
President of the Orange Vigneron Association and winemaker Justin Jarrett believed lessons had been learnt from the heady days when demand for chardonnay was exceptionally high. <\/p>\n
\"When you look at the Australian wine industry we don't want to be at the bottom of the wine ladder. You want to be up the top,\" he said. <\/p>\n
\"You want to deliver a product that people are prepared to pay more for.\" <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Continued here: <\/p>\n
Preparing winemakers for climate change through cloning - ABC Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Australia's winemakers are uniquely placed with grape types which, if cloned, could challenge established varieties in major markets such as the USA. Continue reading