Media release

5 January 2017

Spot the next trends at Australia Day Tasting

Wine Australia is challenging the trade to taste a selection of 1100 at the Australia Day Tasting and decide what will be big in 2017.

Hot topics amongst the UK wine trade are alternative varieties, sparkling red wines and the growing demand for premium. But which, if any, will be a trend this year?

The Australia Day Tasting, the largest trade tasting of outside Australia, is the place to go to discover what the new year has in store. Visitors can test out new varieties and styles, meet the winemakers and principals, and gain insight into other areas of the trade.

A hotbed of innovation and experimentation, Australia boasts a diverse, exciting range of grape varieties and wine styles, which will be on show at the ADT. In addition to Shiraz, and , Australia’s top three exported varieties, visitors will find Assrytiko, Dolcetto, Fiano, Lagrein, , Nebbiolo, and Touriga Nacional amongst others.

Sparkling is the talk of the town after Bibendum identified it as one of the next on-trade trends. Taste Sparkling Shiraz from Dowie Doole, Gatt Wines, Peter Lehmann, Taltarni and and join the discussion.

Following reports that consumers are drinking less but better, the ‘premiumisation’ trend looks set to continue for Australian wine through 2017. Australian wine exports are seeing strong growth, with the latest figures showing premium wines are in demand. At the ADT, try Australia’s most iconic fine wines, including Penfold’s St Henri Shiraz, ’s Descendant, Clonakilla’s Shiraz , Tyrrell's Vat 1 Semillon, ’s Julius and De Bortoli’s Noble One.

Laura Jewell MW, Wine Australia Head of Market EMEA, said:

“The trend towards premium wine is my prediction, but not just for 2017 as this is a gradual, ongoing movement. All three potential trends – alternative varieties, sparkling red and the move to premium - demonstrate that it’s a very exciting time for Australia. Quality, diversity and innovation are the hallmarks of Australian wine and this is exactly what we’ll be showcasing at the Australia Day Tasting.”

Wine Australia is inviting the trade to taste the contenders for this year’s trends and share their thoughts and predictions via Twitter with #ADTwine

With less than three weeks to go, register now for the Australia Day Tasting:

24 January 2017 London www.bit.ly/LondonADT 26 January 2017 Edinburgh www.bit.ly/EdinburghADT 30 January 2017 Dublin www.bit.ly/DublinADT

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For media enquiries please contact: Emma Baumann PR and Communications Manager, Wine Australia Phone: +44 (0)207 438 4669 Mobile: +44 (0)759 083 4514 Email: [email protected]

About Wine Australia

Wine Australia supports a competitive wine sector by investing in research, development and extension (RD&E), growing domestic and international markets and protecting the reputation of Australian wine.

Wine Australia is funded by grape growers and winemakers through levies and user-pays charges and the Australian Government, which provides matching funding for RD&E investments.

Wine Australia is the trading name of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority, a Commonwealth statutory authority established under the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013.

Twitter: @Wine_Australia Instagram: @WineAustralia Facebook: WineAustralia Website: www.wineaustralia.com

Exports of Australian wine continue to grow globally and while much of that increase is to other markets such as China, the UK maintains its love of Australian wines. From October 2015 to September 2016, the value of exports grew by 10 per cent to a total value of $2.17 billion.

Australia’s premium wines are driving strong export growth. In the UK, exports priced between $5– $7.49 per litre FOB and $10 and more per litre FOB are up 38 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.

The Australia Day Tasting, the largest trade tasting of Australian wine in Europe, takes place in London, Edinburgh and Dublin later this month. Across the three tastings, there will be over 1000 wines, from over 200 different , presented by around eighty exhibitors.

London Tuesday 24 January 2017 10am – 5pm B1, Victoria House, Southampton Row, London, WC1B 4DA (New bigger venue!)

Edinburgh Thursday 26 January 2017 1pm – 6pm The Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2EQ (New bigger venue!)

Dublin Monday 30 January 2017 1pm – 6pm RHA Gallery, 15 Ely Place, Dublin 2