The State's world-renowned wine industry will be on show during October as part of the inaugural Western Australian Wine Month celebrations.
At this evening's launch of WA Wine Month, Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman will encourage consumers to make the most of what their local industry had to offer.
"The WA industry has an enviable reputation for quality," Mr Redman said.
"WA Wine Month is an opportunity to remind local consumers of the abundance of premium wines right on their doorstep."
WA Wine Month, co-ordinated by the Wine Industry Association of WA, is a new collaborative approach to promoting WA wine regions and brands.
Wine industry members will band together to execute a month-long calendar of wine events and promotions, with the aim of building the event into a national and international drawcard for wine consumers and wine traders alike.
The wine industry is the State's leading value-added horticulture industry, worth $668million in 2009, and generates regional employment, investment and tourism.
The Minister acknowledged the industry had faced a challenging market in recent years but was responding by targeting new export opportunities and consolidating its position as a producer of premium wines.
"While traditional varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz were most widely grown, the State Government has worked closely with industry in introducing and evaluating other varieties," he said.
"The fruits of this research have seen WA producers also making top quality wines from varieties as diverse as Zinfandel, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Verdelho, Viognier, Marsanne, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Gris."
There are more than 30 unique wine events as part of the 2010 WA Wine Month calendar, as well as a number of tasting opportunities.
For more information about WA Wine Month, events, wineries and regions, visit the
Enjoy WA Wine website at http://www.enjoywawine.com.au
Minister's office - 9213 6700
