Brown Bros tackles climate change

Published: 07 April, 2010

Australian producer Brown Brothers is trialling new grape varieties and vineyard techniques in a bid to combat climate change.

Head of winemaking Wendy Cameron said that people are "very worried" about climate change, and as a result, the company is working on its canopy management, to give grapes more shade, as well as using techniques such as sub-surface irrigation, a more efficient method in which water emitters are placed about one foot below the ground, to limit evaporation.

In addition, Brown Brothers is trialling Mediterranean grape varieties such as Nero d'Avola, Montepulciano and Aglianico, varieties that are more tolerant of higher temperatures. Other grapes being trialled include Fiano, Grüner Veltliner and Greco di Tufo, as well as lesser-known varieties such as Scheurebe, Comtessa and Austrian grape Rotgipfler.

Cameron said: "We're also trialling dealcoholised wine - I don't think we're talking about zero-alcohol wines, but I am interested in dropping alcohol levels by a couple of per cent, although it's very experimental at this stage."

The company is also about to launch a new range of screwcapped wines, Crouchen (pronounced "Croo-shen"), which will retail at £6.99. The range features blends of the Crouchen grape with other varieties, including a Sauvignon Blanc, a Riesling and a Riesling Rosé.

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