Beating smoke taint with sparkling wine

Beating smoke taint with sparkling wine – Climate Change Adaptation for the Tasmanian wine industry

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 June 2024

Campus

Launceston

Citizenship requirement

Domestic

About the research project

Smoke-affected fruit is a significant cost to the agricultural industry and a significant risk that deters investors and industry expansion. Negative sensory outcomes, not apparent in fruit but manifesting after fermentation and wine making, means significant financial outlay has already been invested with little to no chance for financial return. For vineyards and wineries, this could also include years of sunk investment into ageing of fine wines.
Smoke-taint compounds are sugar-bound in fruit and the sugar moiety is cleaved during fermentation and ageing which leads to smoke taint that is easily detected by consumers. Current options for remediation have focussed on removing smoke-taint compounds using activated carbon but these methods have also stripped out important flavour and aroma compounds. Thus, alternative approaches for adaptation to the ever-increasing risk and reality of smoke taint from bushfires without adversely affecting aroma and flavour is considered critical for the Tasmanian wine industry.
This PhD project will investigate (1) producing sparkling wine from low-level smoke affected wine grapes as a mitigation strategy for smoke-affected wine grapes and (2) the sensory impact of smoke taint compounds on sparkling wine during ageing on lees. The outputs will provide winemakers with the knowledge to help them develop risk management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

Primary Supervisor

Meet Dr Samantha Sawyer

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Applicants should review the PhD minimum entry requirements
  • Applicants from the following disciplines are encouraged to apply: agricultural science, food science, or viticulture and oenology
  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus.

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Additional essential selection criteria specific to this project:

  • First-class honours or equivalent in agriculture, food or viticulture and oenology
  • Demonstrated proficiency in written and verbal English language

Additional desirable selection criteria specific to this project:

  • Background in food and sensory quality
  • Field-based and lab-based experience is desirable
  • Hold a driver's license

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact Dr Samantha Sawyer to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 1 June 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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