The Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) will provide free smoke taint tests to bushfire-affected wine grape growers to help the industry recover from the devastating fires.
Minister for Agriculture, Adam Marshall said grapes exposed in the late stages of the growing season could produce undesirable burnt flavours in the wine produced.
“We need to protect NSW wine markets and avoid smoke-tainted wine from reaching consumers, and the analysis of grapes is key to ensuring that happens,” Mr Marshall said.
“Smoke taint tests cost around $300, and we want to support wine-grape growers to access this service at a time when cash flow has been impacted through the ongoing impacts of drought and now smoke haze.”
Mr Marshall said the funding would cover a number of tests per business to a cap of $1,200 and would be available for all impacted wine-grape growers across NSW.
He said early sample analyses from the Hunter Valley, Mudgee and Orange had shown some smoke taint levels above critical thresholds, which consumers could easily detect.
NSW Wine Industry Association President, Mark Bourne said it was a “crucial time” for the industry ahead of the harvest season.
“Vintage 2020 is certainly proving to be a challenge for the NSW wine industry that is in the midst of a very difficult drought, and also had to deal with fires and the devastating effects of smoke,” Mr Bourne said.
