Jancis Robinson leads international delegation for the 8th International Cool Climate Symposium

Internationally-recognised wine writer, Jancis Robinson OBE, MW will present the opening and closing addresses when Hobart hosts the 8th International Cool Climate Symposium for Viticulture and Oenology, early next year.

Jancis Robinson OBE, MW, will be joined by wine luminaries from Australia and abroad including, Tom Stevenson (the world’s leading authority on Champagne and sparkling wines), Pierre-Yves Bournérias (OEnologue and Winemaker, Institut OEnologique de Champagne), Tasmanian wine champions Dr Andrew Pirie and Andrew Hood, as well as Wendy Stuckey (winemaker, Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington), Stan Beurskens (Dutch flying winemaker, researcher, consultant), Michael Brajkovich (Kumeu River Wines, New Zealand and show judge), Dr Andy Reynolds (Research Chair in Viticulture at the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute at Brock University, Canada), Ross Brown (former CEO of Brown Brothers and Chair of Australia's First Families of Wine), Dr Richard Smart (viticulture researcher), Karl Forsyth (Senior Engineer, Australian Wine Research Institute-AWRI) and Dr Peter Dry (former academic and consultant to AWRI).

The conference will explore four themes: cool climate viticulture, oenology, sparkling wine and marketing. Jancis Robinson’s keynote opening address will be, ‘What’s hot about cool climate?’ while her closing presentation will consider, ‘Marketing the cool climate story’.

Another of the highlights will be the presentation of results of an innovative, three-year, $1.8-million research project funded by a Tasmanian-based consortium led by Wine Tasmania and AusIndustry’s Industry Cooperative Innovation Program; ‘Improving the Quality of Cool Climate Pinot Noir and Sparkling Wines’.

There is still time to be involved in this watershed conference, with the call for abstracts open until Friday 29 April 2011. Presentation formats include oral presentations, poster presentations and workshops, under the four key themes; cool climate viticulture, oenology, sparkling wine and marketing.

Andrew Hood, Chair of the 8th ICCS Planning Committee, says: ‘The conference will be one of the defining moments in the Tasmanian and Australian wine industry and offer insights into new research to a global community contending with the effects of climate change.’

The four day symposium will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, on Hobart's spectacular waterfront, supported by a social program to include welcome drinks at the newly opened MONA - Museum of Old and New Art.
What: 8th International Cool Climate Symposium for Viticulture and Oenology
Who: Keynote speaker, Jancis Robinson OBE, MW, supported by international and Australian speakers from all corners of the wine industry including; viticulture, winemaking, academia, research, writing and marketing.
When: Tuesday 31 January – Saturday 4 February 2012
Where: Hotel Grand Chancellor, 1 Davey Street Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
Abstracts: Abstracts covering cool climate viticulture, oenology, sparkling wine and marketing to be submitted by Friday 29 April 2011.