Nobel Laureates meeting to showcase wines made by Aussie scientists

Wines made by Australian scientists will be served at a meeting of Nobel Prize winners in Germany next week.

Wines made by Australia’s most recent Nobel Laureate and astronomer Professor Brian Schmidt, Clonakilla founder and biochemist Dr John Kirk, and Yalumba winemaker and physics graduate Louisa Rose will be presented at the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting’s International Day (30 June).

The Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting is held annually to provide around 600 young researchers from around the world, including Australia, the opportunity to meet the most eminent researchers in their field.

It is the first time Australia has hosted the meeting’s International Day, which is a chance to showcase Australian science, education and culture.

Dr Kirk, who is a world authority on what light does in water and how it effects photosynthesis, said it was fantastic to have wines made by Australian scientists on show at the meeting.

“Winemaking is the blend of art and science, and where better to highlight that than at a meeting of some of the world’s greatest minds,” he said.

The wines that will be served at the International Day dinner include:

• Amungula Creek 2012 Pinot Noir (Dry Red) Winemaker: Prof Brian Schmidt (PhD Harvard Astronomy)
• Clonakilla O'Riada 2013 Shiraz (Dry Red) Winemaker: Dr. John Kirk (PhD Cambridge Biochemistry)
• Yalumba Viognier (Dry White) Winemaker (Ms. Louisa Rose, BSc University of Melbourne Physics)
• Yalumba Chardonnay 2011 (Dry White) Winemaker (Ms. Louisa Rose, BSc University of Melbourne Physics)

The International Day has been made possible due to sponsorship and support from the Department of Industry, The Group of Eight Australia, Austrade, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Department of Education, CSIRO, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, the Science and Industry Endowment Fund and the Australian Academy of Science.