Author Archives: Happy Wine Woman

Grapegrower and Winemaker: The business of sustainability

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons In this article for Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, I look at how sustainability and its associated goals have evolved. Carbon is being counted, emissions monitored and footprints measured, effectively changing the business environment in which the wine industry operates. To read about initiatives that are helping producers toContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: The business of sustainability”

evokeAG: Through the looking glass

How these innovators are harnessing biotechnology to transform health and nutrition Image credit: Andrey Nagaycev, Wikimedia Commons In a departure from my usual writing about wine, I explore another fascinating area of science in my first article with evokeAG. Biotechnology is changing the lens through which we understand biology, and in doing so is transformingContinue reading “evokeAG: Through the looking glass”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – application

Image credit: Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower & Winemaker, July 2023 issue In this, the third of four articles, the application of Synthetic Biology is considered. The learnings gained from research and its application continue to contribute to our understanding of wine production and vine cultivation. Furthermore, the precision with which Synthetic Biology may beContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – application”

Grapegrower & Winemaker: Tech development aids phylloxera detection

LAMP tubes in the field. Image: Agriculture Victoria It is without hyperbole that Dr Catherine Clarke, research scientist at Agriculture Victoria, used the words “vine devastator” to describe phylloxera. Speaking at last year’s Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference, Dr Clarke’s presentation focused on research findings about this high priority pest. Click here to read more.

Wine Industry Advisor: Sustainable Packaging

The Frugal Bottle. Image credit: Frugalpac An ongoing challenge for wine production relates to packaging, specifically the energy-hungry production and recycling of traditional glass bottles. Three companies are offering creative solutions to balance a preference for wine in-bottle with sustainability. Click here to read more.

Halliday magazine: Napa Valley

Caymus-Suisun Cellar Door. Image: © Simone Madden-Grey So glad to see this in print! I first wrote this pre-pandemic and then revised it after visiting Napa recently. I had a wonderful time exploring what is fast becoming a regular stop for me when I visit the US. Click here to see my recommendations, including aContinue reading “Halliday magazine: Napa Valley”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – regulatory frameworks

Image: Australian and New Zealand Winemaker and Grapegrower April 2023 This is the second in a series of four articles for Australian and New Zealand Grapegrower and Winemaker magazine. After looking at the definition of Synthetic Biology, I turn to the regulatory framework governing biotechnology application in Australia and in the EU. I also considerContinue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Synthetic Biology – regulatory frameworks”

Grapegrower and Winemaker: Fungicide Resistance

Field sample collection for rapid testing. Image credit: Lincoln Harper, Centre for Crop and Disease Management, Curtin University Botrytis, powdery mildew and downy mildew cost the wine industry more than $200 million dollars each year according to Wine Australia estimates. In this article I look at two techniques for managing pathogen populations in the vineyard.Continue reading “Grapegrower and Winemaker: Fungicide Resistance”

Wine For Normal People: Australia’s Alternative Varieties

After something of a hiatus I return to WFNP to discuss the alternative grape varieties being used in Australia. Elizabeth and I discuss varieties, regions, producers, the ongoing trade disputes with Italy regarding Prosecco and Nero d’Avola, and much more. It’s just the tip of a wonderfully diverse and drinkable vinous iceberg. If you wantContinue reading “Wine For Normal People: Australia’s Alternative Varieties”