Could, or should, NZ be heading towards GM vines and yeasts?
Recent topics of discussion were raised at the Bragato conference in Marlborough, as to whether NZ should be looking, and introducing Genetically Modified (GM) vines into New Zealand vineyards.
The issue was raised at the start of the Romeo Bragato conference by KPMG audit partner Ian Proudfoot, who said the wine industry needed to discuss the use of genetically modified organisms. The panel discussion included esteemed NZ wine personnel under the subject of ‘Wine Pioneers’.
Just another big business crock of bullshit! Sure, all the big companies would like to save money and ruin New Zealand’s wine industry. They’re the only ones who could afford to leave New Zealand’s shores and set up somewhere else!
I personally believe this to be another attack on the ‘100% Pure’, which we all know is just marketing speak, brand, that many within the industry, and overseas, see as critical to wine sales. Whilst most of the worlds markets have seen growth in organic wine sales corporate greed could undo all of this for NZ.
It’s typical of a large accounting business, such as KPMG, to look for profit over sustainability. The greed of accountants will be the end of NZ being seen as a pure country with pure wines. NZ should be heading more towards sustainability and organics rather than heading towards generic GM wines.