International Wine Industry Research Articles

Vitis, Wine, and Medicine: The Other Careers of George Engelmann (1809–1884)

Although professionally better known for his work on North American cactus, grapes and wine formed the longer and arguably more culturally important thread of U.S. botanist George Engelmann’s (1809–1884) career. Through new and comprehensive use of Engelmann’s personal papers, letters, and informal daily correspondence housed at the Missouri Botanical Garden, this essay offers a reappraisal of the botanist’s place in the history of grape science, the international wine industry, and the late 19th-century phylloxera crisis, as well as the use of wine in his medical practice in St. Louis. Engelmann’s work on Vitis L. illustrates that he served as the hub of a wide wheel of scientific inquiry, positioning U.S. botanists as experts for prestigious international audiences. His contributions in three related arenas—botanical discovery and naming of Vitis species, service to the wine industry, and as a physician attending to St. Louis families’ health by prescribing wine—were all crucial facets of U.S. national expansion. Like many other wine enthusiasts, Engelmann and his adopted countrymen were interested in defining U.S. viticulture and the nation itself as projects concerned with both wild, resilient native stock and cultivated refinement.

Collection and characterization of grapevine genetic resources (Vitis vinifera) in the Holy Land, towards the renewal of ancient winemaking practices

The importance and extent of wine consumption in all life aspects at the Holy Land is well documented. The Muslim influence in this region led to the abandonment of winemaking practices, and possible loss of indigenous wine varieties. Here we present a country wide collection of the local grapevine population including wild and cultivated forms, and its characterization by genetic, ampelographic and enological methods. The ampelographic analysis shows clear differences between Sativa and Sylvestris groups in flower, leaf and cluster parameters, and that most Sativa belong to proles orientalis. Genetic population analysis was conducted by analyzing 22 common SSR markers, determining first the unique genotypes, and internally assessing the population’s structure, showing the existence of two distinct Sativa and Sylvestris populations, and a third mixed one. Likewise, the relationship between the Israeli grapevine population and grapevine populations in Europe and parts of Asia was investigated, showing that the Israeli Sativa and Sylvestris populations cluster closely together, suggesting a common genetic source. Lastly, the enological characteristics of selected Sativa and Sylvestris genotypes are presented, demonstrating their potential for quality wine production. This research significantly contributes toward the re-establishment of indigenous and traditional local grapevine varieties into the modern international wine industry.

Pursuing the creative: new pathways in the 'economy of wine'

The international wine industry is moving towards a pronounced phase of parallel distribution. Traditional approaches of mass and niche production have become more defined as globalisation creates discrete contours across the wine landscape and reconfigures cultural and economic characteristics that define this industry. The purpose of this paper is to focus on distinct qualities of the niche or creative wine sector and compare its approaches to those of the heavily populated mass or commodity sector. The paper will highlight the qualities of creative wine production by using five iconic winemakers as case studies. In focusing on their vineyard management and winemaking methods, and exploring their philosophies and value systems, the paper creates a template of cultural and economic characteristics that define the creative wine producer. It is a template that is adaptable and accessible, and one that may provide valuable lessons for those winemakers wishing to pursue a more sustainable path in the 'economy of wine'.

The drivers for collective horizontal coopetition: a case study of screwcap initiatives in the international wine industry

This paper investigates antecedents for forming collective horizontal coopetition, where all or most major competitors in an industry cooperate to achieve a common goal while competing with each other in other areas of business. The purposes of this paper are: 1) to gain an understanding of how coopetition emerges within an industry using a case study of the screwcap initiative in the Australian, New Zealand and US wine industries; 2) to develop a conceptual model that describes the factors that lead to coopetition among horizontal competitors at the industry level. The following five factors are found to facilitate formation of this type of collective horizontal coopetition: strategic common goals, greater expected collective benefits, safeguards against knowledge transfer, intra-industry complementarities and strong ties in cooperative networks. These factors are presented as propositions. Then, theoretical contributions and managerial implications are discussed.

Contradictions of traditions and change in German winemaking: an exploratory study

PurposeThis exploratory study aims to investigate the national adoption of international wine industry trends in Germany. Specifically, the paper consider this adoption as perceived by luxury German wine producers in three wine regions. This study addresses two main questions: what impact do regional German traditions have on techniques used by small wine producers in the super‐premium + segment? Are these traditions balanced with the adoption of New World techniques and trends in viticulture and viniculture?Design/methodology/approachDue to the complex nature of the research questions and to provide rich, meaningful descriptions, this study adopted a qualitative method. The researchers did semi‐structured interviews with five highly respected German winemakers in the Rheingau, Württemberg and Baden regions.FindingsThis study shows that German wine producers are heavily influenced by Old World philosophy and traditions as well as New World concepts and technology. Successful wine producers appear to create a balance between the gastronomic identity of the region with advantages of new technologies, business models and trends. Research limitations/implications – The study has been conducted in only three wine regions in Germany. In addition, this study employed the case study approach. Future research could use large sample proposition testing to investigate if the findings from this study can be statistically confirmed and are applicable to other countries.Practical implicationsGerman wine producers can learn much from New World business models. In particular, revised organizational forms that allow wine producers increased access to travel and promotion of products can assist in increasing demand for quality products as well as on‐going learning through interaction with others in the industry.Originality/valueGerman wine is an important subject for academic study, however, it is under‐researched. This exploratory study provides several implications for small to medium‐sized wine producers in Germany.

Reconfigured domains: alternative pathways for the international wine industry

The international wine landscape has undergone dramatic changes over the past 20 years. The two-dimensional wine industry models of the 1980s and 1990s, based on 'national set-perspectives', are failing to address the new and very complex landscape now emerging. A true globalisation of the wine industry is creating a myriad of challenges and opportunities for multinationals and SME wine firms alike. Most importantly, however, it is creating the need for a significant reconfiguration of national industries to accommodate the internationalisation of production, supply chains, distribution, marketing and consumption. This paper assesses and comments on these changes within an organisational ecology framework. It compares and contrasts the different organisational structures within New and Old World wine industries, examines their contributions to the internationalised landscape, and proposes alternative pathways within this multidimensional and fluid sector.

Dancing With Giants: Acquisition and Survival of the Family Firm

In this article, we examine the responses of family companies to the emerging environment of mergers and acquisitions, specifically within the international wine industry. At issue is the question of how the family perspective influences responses of a family firm to the prospect of merger or takeover. We examine the issue through a case study of the takeover of an Australian wine producer and family firm, Peter Lehmann Wines. The case study demonstrates ways in which the family perspective is critical in driving responses, for example, in the strength and forms of opposition to one of the potential acquirers in the case, indicating just how important the preservation of a family legacy was to key family members. However, the case also illustrates how in a takeover fight the dynamics of the takeover process itself become important in determining outcomes. In addition, the case demonstrates that family involvement and influence can be maintained in spite of takeover.

Global Landscapes: A Speculative Assessment of Emerging Organizational Structures within the International Wine Industry

Abstract As a rapidly evolving sector the international wine industry represents an interesting subject for analysis. Over the past two centuries the industry has experienced a number of major innovations and direction changes. The organizational shifts involved in these changes have been profound. From a monopolization of wine culture through the nineteenth and much of the twentieth century by Europeans, to the emergence of New World operators and their democratic influence, the international wine industry now stands at the edge of another major paradigm shift. This paper traces the industry’s historical changes and speculates on the implications of such issues as global production, distribution, technology transfer, branding and the escalation of mergers and alliances. It argues that with the increasing global tendency of the industry, ‘New’ and ‘Old World’ distinctions may blur and disappear. Furthermore, as the wine landscape continues to evolve, we may well see a new set of rules, where the emergence of localized branding, an enhanced role for small to medium enterprises and the decline of national industries results in an irrevocable reconfiguration of the industry.

A Documentary of Innovation Support among New World Wine Industries

During the past two decades, the international wine industry has undergone a 'seismic shift'. Old World producers no longer dominate production, export and marketing of wine to the extent that they once did. Instead, New World producers such as California, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand have successfully married production, management, marketing and innovation to emerge as a new force on the global wine landscape. It is the innovation supports within these selected New World industries that this short communication seeks to document, in order to highlight different approaches and outcomes and how they may or may not contribute to an innovative culture.

The present and future of the international wine industry.

Wine production is both art and science, a blend of individual creativity and innovative technology. But wine production is also business, with economic factors driving manufacturing practices. To be successful in the modern marketplace, a winemaker must integrate the artistic and economic aspects of wine production, and possess a solid understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that underlie purchase motivation.