|
|
The latest news from PIWI International
|
WELCOME IN 2025 | UP-DATES & HIGHLIGHTS | OUR PRESIDENT IN INTERVIEW
|
|
|
|
Even in February, we would like to welcome you in 2025 🥂.
|
The new year brings big changes - for viticulture, for PIWI International and for our mission to establish fungus-resistant grape varieties worldwide.
|
What can we expect in 2025? What challenges lie ahead? And what opportunities do PIWIs offer for the future of wine?
|
|
In this newsletter, you can find out all about current developments, exciting insights from the President and upcoming highlights.
|
|
***
|
Update of our website
|
Our website is currently being updated to make it even more user-friendly and informative. In the course of this work, two central databases - the list of winegrowers and the list of grape varieties - had to be taken offline at short notice. As soon as the revision is completed, these will be available again in a new format and will be a valuable tool for all members and interested parties.
|
|
***
|
Interview with our president: Future Security with PIWI grape Varieties
|
PIWI grape varieties stand for sustainable and future-proof viticulture - but how can they establish themselves in the long term?
|
|
We spoke to our President about this in an interview - read his answers here on the current challenges, opportunities and strategies for the coming years:
|
|
|
PIWI grape varieties are considered to be particularly sustainable and resilient. How do you see their role in a changing viticulture and what strategies are you pursuing to establish these varieties even more strongly in the coming years?
Wolfgang Patzwahl: We are facing major challenges as a result of climate change: increasing weather extremes, heavier rainfall and increasing physiological stress for the vines. At the same time, there is growing social pressure to reduce the use of pesticides. PIWI grape varieties offer a sustainable solution to make viticulture more efficient and ecological. Thanks to their resistance to fungal diseases, winegrowers can reduce the amount of plant protection required and thus operate more sustainably. PIWI International supports this development through information exchange, networking and the promotion of oenological research.
Which innovations in viticulture are particularly important in order to meet the challenges of climate change?
Wolfgang Patzwahl: Winegrowers have various options for action to make viticulture fit for the future: The targeted use of modern forecasting models for fungal diseases can optimise plant protection, inter-farm drip irrigation systems can secure yields in dry periods, and the increased cultivation of PIWI grape varieties helps to reduce plant protection products and labour costs.
Many winegrowers are still hesitant to switch to PIWI grape varieties. What arguments are decisive in convincing the industry and consumers?
Wolfgang Patzwahl: A study conducted as part of the VITIFIT project shows that ignorance and uncertainty are often obstacles for winegrowers, retailers and consumers. However, information about the advantages of PIWI grape varieties has been proven to increase their acceptance and likelihood of purchase. Consumers also rate the wines better in sensory terms once they have been informed about the sustainability benefits. Public relations work and tastings are therefore essential in order to successfully establish PIWI wines on the market.
How can viticulture respond to the decline in wine consumption, and what role do PIWI grape varieties play in this?
Wolfgang Patzwahl: The key lies in a clear quality strategy and the use of sustainable production methods. PIWI grape varieties offer a considerable advantage here, as they can be cultivated in an environmentally friendly way and their diversity provides new impulse in the wine market. The cultivation of 20-25% of vineyards with PIWI varieties would be possible without any problems and would stabilise the wine industry in the long term.
What is your vision for PIWI International in the coming years?
Wolfgang Patzwahl: PIWI International will continue to promote dialogue between winegrowers, researchers and consumers. The PIWI International Wine Award (PIWI International Wine Challenge) remains a key component in raising awareness of PIWI wines. [...]
We would like to thank Wolfgang Patzwahl for answering the questions.
Editorial note: The answers have been abridged for the newsletter. You will soon find the entire interview and further questions on our website.
|
|
***
|
Save the dates - Upcoming Highlights & Events
|
|
EUROVINO 9-10 March 2025
Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre (Germany) Stand no.: Hall 1 Stand no. F12
PIWI Germany, PIWI Austria and PIWI International will be represented with a joint stand at EUROVINO. Winning wines from the PIWI Wine Awards 2024 will also be available for tasting on site.
|
|
EUROVINO is aimed at wine producers, wine marketers and wine buyers with a focus on the German-speaking and European sales market.
|
|
|
PIWI International Wine Challenge 2025 on 31 July 2025
National Wine Centre Valtice, Czech Republic
An international panel of tasters will evaluate the wines in various categories according to the 100-point scheme (OIV). The excellent infrastructure of the National Wine Centre has proven its worth and the association's own PIWI International Wine Award will be held in Valtice again this year.
|
|
Registration for this will begin in April 2025 and will be advertised separately.
|
|
|
PIWI International Excursion 1-3 August 2025
This year's members' wine trip takes us to South Moravia, known for its impressive wine landscapes and rich history.
We will visit large and small wineries around the historically important city of Znojmo, as well as the Blue Mountains around Velké Pavlovice.
|
Numerous expert discussions with winemakers and oenologists will give us a deep insight into the local wine industry and the specialities of this region, which will also delight history and culinary enthusiasts.
|
|
The detailed programme will be presented shortly.
|
|
|
PIWI International World SUMMIT Berlin 7-8 November 2025
Eventlocation: Kühlhaus, Berlin
This 2-day event is the world's largest gathering of PIWI winemakers, PIWI growers, PIWI researchers, nurseries and PIWI enthusiasts to share experiences and knowledge.
|
All visitors are invited to taste high quality PIWI wines and celebrate the success of the PIWI movement over the last 25 years.
|
|
The detailed programme will be presented soon.
|
|
|
***
|
|
Great that you are part of our community and thank you for your support
|
Wolfgang Patzwahl & the entire board of PIWI International
|
|
***
|
|
ECOLOGICAL – ECONOMICAL – TRENDSETTING
|
|
