Science behind wine

"IF WE don't think about how we can become smarter farmers, we won't be farmers in 20 years.”

SHARING INSIGHT: Mike Hayes with wife Andrea Newley. Mr Hayes will speak at the World Science Festival in Brisbane this weekend. Picture: David Martinelli

"IF WE don't think about how we can become smarter farmers, we won't be farmers in 20 years.”

That's the daunting opinion of former Australian Winemaker of the Year Mike Hayes.

The Ballandean man and Sirromet Wines director of viticulture and winery operations will be touchingon such issues as part of the World Science Festival.

Mr Hayes has been asked to give a speech at the festival on the art of fermentation and climate variability and the impact it could have on the wine industry.

"With climate change or climate variability, we have an increase in temperatures, so by increasing temperatures it increases sugar accumulation in the berry, therefore resulting in higher alcohol,” Mr Hayes said.

"I'll be discussing regions that have been growing grapes for hundreds and hundreds of years and can no longer support those varieties which have been happily co-existing.

"To give you some idea, in parts of Germany, the riesling grapes and gewurztraminer will actually disappear from some of the areas in the next 15-20 years.

"I'll discuss my opinion on what's happening here in Queensland and on the Granite Belt. We've just come through one of the most horrific droughts and it's still not over.

"There's speculation about whether we're going to receive enough rainfall inthe winter to even start next season.

"I've never seen the rivers and creeks out around the Ballandean region that low in my life.

"There's rising temperatures in winter and later frosts. It plays havoc.”

Several years ago Mr Hayes received a Churchill Fellowship to tour Europe, where he studied varieties that could combat climate change.

Mr Hayes will give his speech, Science Gets Social, this Saturday, March 23, at the Festival Lab in South Bank.

"I'm looking forward to it and I think it's an important issue for not only the broader community but the producers and farmers in general,” he said.

"If we don't think about how we can become smarter farmers, we won't be farmers in 20 years.

"To be part of such a prestigious event is amazing.”

FESTIVAL

What: World Science Festival

When: March 20-24

Where: Queensland Museum and South Bank Cultural Precinct, Brisbane