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Abstract
With funding from the Embassy of Italy, National Research Council of Italy, Wine Australia and Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) and with significant in-kind input from CSIRO, two Symposia were held, one in Canberra (Grape and Wheat Symposium) and one in Adelaide (Grape and Wine Symposium), both in early December 2015. The Symposia were well attended and achieved the goal of strengthening existing collaborations and establishing new collaborations between Italian and Australian researchers. The Symposia were supplemented by visits to the Canberra and McLaren Vale Wine Regions. This provided an opportunity to view Italian grapevine varieties and their adaptation to Australian conditions. Wines of the Australian-grown Italian varieties were tasted. Meetings were also held between the visiting Italian scientists (three wheat and four grape and wine) and CSIRO and other agency scientists. A dinner was held at the Embassy of Italy for all invited speakers at the Canberra Symposium and invited guests. Wine Australia and industry representatives attended the Adelaide Symposium. Peter Hayes, former President of the OIV (Organisation International de la Vigne et du Vin) and current Deputy Chancellor of Charles Sturt University, attended the McLaren Vale vineyard and winery tour with the visiting Italian grape and wine scientists. A report on the Symposia and associated activities has been prepared and will be provided to an Australian Wine Industry Journal for future publication (likely to be Grape Grower and Winemaker, March 2016 issue).
