Mike Trought Centre People

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Centre People

	Name	Mike Trought
	Position	Senior Scientist/Research Leader
	Qualifications	PhD, BSc (Hons), NDA
	Employer	HortResearch

Background

Mike Trought brings international wine industry experience to Marlborough. He has a long-time association with the Marlborough wine industry starting as Officer in Charge of the new Marlborough Research Centre in 1984. From 1992 to 1999, he was senior lecturer in viticulture at Lincoln University and then joined Villa Maria Wines in Marlborough, New Zealand’s third largest wine company, as their regional viticulturist. In 2004 he was appointed Research Leader to the Marlborough Wine Research Centre. He has participated in Marlborough wine industry grow from its infancy in the early 1980’s to its present position as the predominant wine growing region in New Zealand.

Expertise

His specialised knowledge encompasses carbohydrate physiology, irrigation, fruit set, flowering, nutrition and the behaviour of bird-life in vineyards. He is bringing that expertise to his lead role with the Centre’s Sauvignon Blanc research project, concentrating also on flavour and aroma management, and yield prediction.

Current Research

Terroir, flavour and aroma development of Sauvignon Blanc, carbohydrate physiology, yield prediction.

Selected Publications

Friend, A.P. and Trought, M.C.T. 2007. Delayed winter spur-pruning in New Zealand can alter yield components of Merlot grapevines. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 13, 3, 157-164.
Cline, J.A. and Trought, M. 2007. Effects of gibberellic acid on fruit cracking and quality of Bing and Sam sweet cherries. Canadian Journal Plant Science, 87, 545-550.
Trought, M., Dixon, R., Mills, T., and four others, 2006. The impact of differences in soil texture within a vineyard on vine development and wine quality. Proceedings VI International Terroir Congress, 133-138.
Trought, M.C.T. 2006. Living on the edge: the opportunities and challenges of cool climate winegrowing in New Zealand. Proceedings 6th International cool climate symposium for viticulture and oenology, 16-23.
Howell GS, Pool RM, Trought MCT 2006. Managing cold, frost and other weather related grapevine damage - a review. Key Note paper 6th international cool climate symposium for viticulture and oenology, Christchurch, New Zealand: 192-205.

Full Publications List