USQ Academic to share wine knowledge
A University of Southern Queensland (USQ) Wine Science educator is looking forward to sharing his technical knowledge at Queensland's premier wine conference in Toowoomba next week (Tuesday 25 and Thursday 26 July 2006).
USQ Wine Science Lecturer and Industry Liaison Coordinator, Associate Professor Rob Learmonth, will be a keynote speaker at the 2006 Queensland Wine Business Conference.
Rob has 18 years experience in yeast propagation and fermentation and will be sharing his knowledge on potassium management to more than 170 delegates.
"Potassium is an essential nutrient which plays a crucial role in grapevine water relations and has also been identified as one of the main drivers of berry growth. However excessive uptake can lead to an undesirably high pH in the finished wine, particularly in red wine.
"For the presentation I will be collaborating with Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries (DPI&F) Wine Industry Officers, Tony Hassall and Cameron Playsted.
"They will be talking about viticultural aspects and I about winemaking aspects to give a coordinated overview from the grape to the glass.
"During the session we will discuss opportunities to minimise the uptake of potassium through viticulture practices and offer strategies for potassium management through yeast strain selection and the modification of fermentation conditions."
Rob said USQ currently enjoys a productive working relationship with the DPI&F.
"We are currently developing a formal working relationship between USQ and DPI&F and Cameron and Tony recently assisted with our first teaching residential school in Grape and Wine Science.
"It is through collaboration and the sharing of expertise at conferences such as this that will ensure the growth of the industry and keep Queensland's 170 wineries moving forward."
Industry operators, educators, Wine Science students, local council representatives and suppliers are expected to attend the two-day conference.
Attendees will also receive practical hands-on advice including information about wine tourism, regional branding, wholesale sales and technical issues.
Rob is a member of the Queensland Wine Industry Education and Training Reference Group and the Queensland Wine Industry Skills Formation Strategy Management Committee. He also sits on the 13th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference and 2007 RASQ Wine Show committees.
Media Contact: Fiona Taylor, USQ Media, +61 7 3470 4117 or +61 423 808 462