The Uncertainty of Measurement pages contains all the UOM data for all of the Affinity Labs methods. This and many other useful tools like the submission forms and the contact page can be found in the hamburger menu [ ☰ ] located in the top left corner of the site as well as on the laboratory analysis page.
Wines that have been analysed by Affinity Labs previously for a particular export market may then require additional export certificates for new market destinations. Affinity Labs offers export upgrades for this purpose, which may prevent the expense of re-analysing wines. One of the reasons we request two bottles when we analyse your wine for export certificates is to allow us to retain a holdback sample. This sample is kept for approximately six months, which means extra analysis can be performed immediately without any delays associated with re-submitting samples.
Occasionally, it may be required to reissue export certificates with updated sample descriptions, or to regenerate export certificates with current dates to ensure that they are still valid. Affinity Labs can re-issue certificates with updated details using the original analysis. Please contact our Customer Service team for a personalised quote if you require a large number of repeat certificates re-issues.
Sampling for grapevine viruses should be avoided in the height of summer or on very hot days, as viruses become less active in hot conditions and virus concentration may be reduced to an undetectable level. Up to five canes can be pooled into a single sample by cutting two 20-30 cm sections of canes per vine. Vines should be tagged so they can be identified at a later stage.
Samples should be clearly labelled, free of soil deposits and placed in sealable plastic bags. Samples should be sent with an ice pack to keep them cool and delivered as quickly as possible.
Please note that samples from interstate regions need to adhere to biosecurity regulations. These requirements are covered in more detail on the samples submission page.
Your approach to selecting a virus testing package depends mostly on what you are intending to achieve.
The Single virus check is used to detect the presence of a specific virus, useful to determine if a problematic virus has been eliminated or to establish the severity of a known infection.
The Pre-grafting screen can be used to check rootstocks and scions for potential infection prior to top-working. In cases where Chardonnay grapevines are involved in the grafting process, the four-virus screen is recommended.
The Complete virus screen screens for the most common viruses that affect grapevines. This screen is recommended for imported samples, and as a general screen for rootstocks.
In order to collect a good representative sample it is recommended that multiple locations within a block are sampled at random to negate bias, ensuring that enough grapes are incorporated to meet minimum sample size requirements for the required grape analysis.
All the relevant analysis information has been summarised under the relevant analysis. This includes a breakdown of the components that will be reported as well as method limitations and required sample volumes.
This information can also be found summarised on the price list.
The FTIR WineScan, albeit a powerful instrument, has some limitations. It is calibrated to analyse wines ready for export that have finished alcoholic fermentation and undergone some form of clarification such as cold settling, racking, centrifugation or filtration.
New wines that have just finished alcoholic fermentation but might still be going through malolactic fermentation or that have not been clarified (cold settled/racked/centrifuged etc.) are NOT suitable for analysis by FTIR WineScan. Please request the End of Ferment Panel analysis for these wine types.
The End of Ferment Panel has been specifically curated to include the same analytes that are included in the WineScan method, but using reference methods which have been validated for fermenting and unfinished wines.
The price list summarises all the available analysis and breaks down our tiered pricing structure in a single document. This and many other useful tools including submission forms and the contact page can be found in the hamburger menu [ ☰ ] located in the top left corner of the site.
All the forms required to create an account, submit samples and request report reissues can be found on our forms page. This and many other useful tools including the price list and contact page can be found in the hamburger menu [ ☰ ] located in the top left corner of the site.
It is important to check if there are any additional steps that may need to be taken before submitting your samples. Juice may start fermenting during transit, so it is important to ensure that care has been taken to prevent this.
Both grapes and juice for chemical analysis as well as plant material for virus testing will have to meet biosecurity requirements in order to be received and logged for analysis.
"In order for your samples to be logged we require a completed sample submission form. The form should include the required analysis and sample descriptions that correspond with your labelled samples.
Samples can then be delivered in person or sent via your preferred carrier to:
Affinity Labs
Level 2 Reception
The Australian Wine Research Institute
Hartley Grove, Cnr Paratoo Road
Urrbrae SA 5064
For customers local to the Adelaide region, Affinity Labs has a free collection service which can be booked by contacting our courier directly on 0428 955 401.
While it is not required, an electronic copy of the sample submission form lets us know to expect your samples, and allows us to streamline the submission process. A copy of your sample submission form can be sent to customerservice@affinitylabs.com.au.
Payment for analysis can be processed by credit card either in person or over the phone. If you prefer you can also transfer the funds to:
Account Name: The Australian Wine Research Institute Ltd
Bank Name: The Commonwealth Bank of Australia
Bank Address: Burnside Village, Glenside, South Australia
Account number: 065125 00351448
IBAN: Not Applicable to Australian banks
SWIFT: CTBAAU2S
Please ensure that the amount transferred is in Australian dollars. All international taxes, fees and charges are the responsibility of the customer.
In order to log a sample for analysis we need to assign that sample to a customer or business, which can have multiple individual contacts associated with them. By creating an account we create an entry for your business, allowing samples to be logged for you business.
All new accounts set up will be prepaid by default, which will require you to pay for your requested analysis before the job can be logged. Once established, an account can be upgraded to a 30-day account, allowing for samples to be logged upon arrival, and an invoice to be sent out once analysis is completed.