I have long been an advocate of the South African wine industry specialising in fewer varietals so I was very interested to see Australian wine icon Wolf Blass warn that Australia is in danger of confusing the public with a fruit salad of grape varieties.
The veteran winemaker, who recently celebrated his 75th birthday, urged the Australian wine industry to concentrate on producing Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. He suggested planting very little of the other varietals and also said that Sauvignon Blanc should be left to New Zealand.
Blass called for a levy on winemakers to fund promotional programs designed to maintain Australia’s global position. “’If you are out of sight you are out of mind. No promotion and no propaganda, something terrible will happen. Nothing,” he told Decanter.
I agree fully with the need to build a national wine brand along with an individual wine brand. It appears the Blass and I are also on the same page when it comes to Asia which we both believe is key to our respective country’s wine future.