Today's Taste and Talk with Vinodiversity
Zoom in to discuss what has happened over the past 20 years
Join us at the usual time of 5pm to discuss what the progress of alternative varieties since Vinodiversity was launched in 2004.
How have your wine choices changed?
Meeting ID: 894 2449 9103
Passcode: 343120
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89424499103?pwd=SWdaOUsvTmpNSjRFY244bkpCUk14dz09
Changing Varietal Profile at AAVWS
To get a picture of how the varietal makeup of Australian wines has changed, I have done a quick scan of the results of the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS) of 2004 when Vinodiversity was first launched and compared them to those of 2023. The number of classes judged gives an idea of how many new varieties are now established. Varieties get judged as a separate class if there are more than four entries of that variety.
If there are just a few wines of a variety, then it will find itself in a mixed class. For example, in 2004 there were only three Arneis wines entered so they were judged in the light to medium-bodied varieties or blends class along with Verdelho, Petit Manseng etc. In 2005 there were ten entries of this variety so it had earned its stripes for a dedicated class.
At the 2004 there were only 10 dedicated classes.
White wine classes in 2004
Pinot Gris/Grigio (No longer eligible)
Viognier
Gewürztraminer
The white classes in 2023 were
Arneis
Vermentino
Fiano
Pecorino
Viognier
Marsanne
Pinot Blanc
Albarino
Arinto
Gewürztraminer
Gruner Veltliner
Red wine classes in 2004
Sangiovese
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Tempranillo
Chambourcin
Petit Verdot
Zinfandel/Primitivo
Red wine classes in 2023
Sangiovese
Nebbiolo
Barbera
Sagrantino
Aglianico
Montepulciano
Nero d’Avola
Tempranillo
Graciano
Mencia
Touriga
Malbec
Cabernet Franc
Gamay
Zinfandel/Primitivo
Waiting in the wings are dozens of other varieties with just a few entries. What will the list look like after another 20 years?