Kerry Wilkinson

Professor Kerry Wilkinson

Professor

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Kerry is a Professor of Oenology at The University of Adelaide. Her primary research interests concern the flavour chemistry of grapes and wine, for example: the impact of bushfire smoke on grapes and wine; the improved utility of oak wood for wine maturation; and the influence of production method on the composition and sensory profiles of sparkling wine. Other areas of interest include the chemical and sensory analysis of foods and beverages, and their appeal to consumers.

Kerry completed her PhD in wine science and analytical chemistry at Flinders University and The Australian Wine Research Institute. Her appointment as an academic enabled her to combine her passion for both wine education and research.

Research Interests

My research interests primarily concern the chemistry of grapes and wine, in particular the chemical and sensory analysis of volatile and non-volatile components of organoleptic significance and the influence of environmental conditions, viticultural management practices and winemaking techniques on their biochemical formation and degradation. Current wine-related research includes: (i) Oak derived flavour in wine and spirits; (ii) Viticultural management of 'green characters' in grapes and wine; (iii) Smoke taint in grapes and wine and (iv) Objective measures of sparkling wine style and quality. I am also involved in food science research on almonds and edible insects, as well as learning and teaching projects.

Research Tuesdays Public Lecture | Smoke in the barrel (video)

How science is helping grape and wine producers overcome the effects of bushfire smoke taint

In recent years, the destructive impact of bushfires has been felt worldwide, and their frequency and ferocity is only expected to increase as our climate warms. The loss of life and property is a constant and familiar threat. For the wine industry, however, there’s another cause for concern – smoke taint. Leaving wine with smokey, burnt aromas and a lingering retro-nasal ash character, it’s led to significant losses for producers, both locally and overseas. Consequently, considerable research has been undertaken to identify how the challenge can best be met; and this presentation will bring you right up to speed. You’ll hear how smoke taint is evaluated in grapes and wine, how vineyard management practices and winemaking techniques can reduce its intensity, and what can be done to remove it altogether.

Teaching Interests

World of Wine: From Grape to Glass | AdelaideX on edX (video)

Online Learning: edX MOOC: World of Wine: From Grape to Glass

Latest News

Insects for dinner? Adelaide researchers to gauge Australians' attitudes towards eating bugs (article)

A free wine education course has been launched by Adelaide University (article) 

World of Wine: From Grape to Glass, Radio Adelaide (audio)

Grape to Glass: When the Bottle's Empty, Radio Adelaide (audio)

Grape to Glass: Tasting!, Radio Adelaide (audio)

University of Adelaide Associate Professor in oenology Kerry Wilkinson talks about the latest research into smoke taint (audio) 

App with wine info at a click developed by Adelaide uni (article)

  • Appointments

    Date Position Institution name
    2019 - ongoing Professor of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2018 Associate Professor of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2012 - 2014 Senior Lecturer of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2007 - 2011 Lecturer of Oenology The University of Adelaide
    2005 - 2007 Research Fellow (Wine Chemist) Curtin University
    2004 - 2005 Research Chemist Australian Water Quality Centre
  • Awards and Achievements

    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2018 Teaching Award Commendation for the Enhancement and Innovation of Student Learning The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2018 Teaching Award Best Wine Educator Award Wine Communicators of Australia Australia -
    2018 Award Australian University Agriculture Education Award for Excellence in Teaching Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture Australia -
    2015 Award Wine Communicators of Australia Best Wine Educator Award Wine Communicators of Australia Australia -
    2015 Award South Australian Interactive Media Excellence - - -
    2013 Teaching Award 2013 Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning Office of Learning and Teaching Australia -
    2012 Teaching Award Stephen Cole the Elder Award for Excellence in Teaching (Early Career) The University of Adelaide - -
    2012 Research Award 2012 South Australian Young Tall Poppy Science Award Australian Institute of Policy and Science Australia -
    2010 Teaching Award Excellence in Education Award The University of Adelaide Australia -
    2006 Research Award 2006 Science and Innovation Award for Young People in Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Australia $10,000
  • Education

    Date Institution name Country Title
    2012 - 2013 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Certificate in Online Education
    2008 - 2009 The University of Adelaide Australia Graduate Certificate in Higher Education
    2000 - 2004 Flinders University Australia Ph.D.
    1999 Flinders University Australia BSc. (Honours)
    1995 - 1998 Flinders University Australia BSc.
  • Certifications

    Date Title Institution name Country
    2015 Certificate III in Media Radio Adelaide Australia
  • Research Interests

Research Funding

ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (2018-2022)

Wine Australia (2016-2020) Building and measuring the quality of fine Australian sparkling wines

ARC Training Centre for Innovative Wine Production (2014-2017)

Office for Learning and Teaching (2014-2015) Development of a smartphone application as an e-learning tool for wine sensory evaluation

Wine Australia (2013-2016) Objective measures of Australian sparkling wine style and quality

ARC LIEF (2011) Advanced GC-MS instrumentation for the analysis of highly complex systems

ARC Linkage (2009-2012) The impact of vineyard smoke exposure on vine physiology and the composition of grapes and wine

AGWA (2008-2009) Amelioration of smoke derived taint in wine by membrane filtration and solid phase adsorption

Kerry coordinates and delivers several courses within The University of Adelaide's Bachelor of VIticulture and Oenology and Masters of Wine Business programs. She also teaches the Winter School offering: The Australian Wine Industry: Rise of an Icon and she led the development of the popular Wine101x MOOC: World of Wine: From Grape to Glass (available online via EdX). Kerry’s innovative approaches to wine education, and scholarship of learning and teaching, have been recognised through several teaching awards, including an Office for Learning and Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning.

  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 Principal Supervisor Assessment of rapid detection methods for identifying smoke taint in grape juice. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ysadora Ashton Mirabelli-Montan
    2023 Principal Supervisor Transcription profiling of glycosyltransferases following grapevine smoke exposure Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Miss Wenwen Jiang
    2023 Principal Supervisor Remediation of taint arising from vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Song Yan
    2022 Principal Supervisor Use of Activated Carbon Fabric to Mitigate Smoke Taint in Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Tingting Shi
    2021 Principal Supervisor Mitigating Taint in Wine Due to Vineyard Exposure to Bushfire Smoke Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yiming Huo
    2021 Principal Supervisor Everyday entomophagy: An investigation into pathways for accelerated adoption of edible insects in Western food cultures Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Miss Ishka Nicole Bless
    2020 Co-Supervisor From Brandewijn (Burnt Wine) to Bush Fires: New Directions in Australian Brandy Production Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Hugh Holds
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2023 - 2024 Co-Supervisor Cold plasma-induced quality changes in foods and beverages and plasma’s potential use in space exploration Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr George Robert Warne
    2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Evaluating Winemaking Applications of Ultrafiltration Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Stephanie Angela
    2019 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Vetch as a New Protein Source for the Human Diet Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Arthur George Riley
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Use of Membrane Ultrafiltration for Wine Stabilisation and Clarification Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Yihe Sui
    2018 - 2022 Co-Supervisor The Sugar/Flavour Nexus in Grapes: Uncovering Its Identity and Relevance for Industry Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Pietro Previtali
    2018 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Evaluating Diagnostics and Mitigation of Smoke Exposure in Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Colleen Szeto
    2018 - 2023 Co-Supervisor Understanding consumer sensory perception of beer and wine body Doctor of Philosophy under a Jointly-awarded Degree Agreement with Doctorate Full Time Ms Natalja Ivanova
    2017 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Exploration of Using Cyclodextrins as Novel Additives and Fining Agents in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Chao Dang
    2016 - 2016 Principal Supervisor Defining the Impact of Flavour Interactions in Protein Based Food Matrices Master of Philosophy Master Part Time Mrs Jessica Louise Sanderson
    2016 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Development of Flash Détente Applications for Impacting Red Wine Style and for Production of Colour Stable Red Wines and Concentrate Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Richard Gondai Ntuli
    2016 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Biological Solutions to 3-Isobutyl-2-Methoxypyrazine Remediation in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Jin-Chen Li
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Selective Use of Winemaking Supplements to Modulate the Chemical Composition and Sensory Properties of Shiraz Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Sijing Li
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor The Analysis of Grapevine Response to Smoke Exposure Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Lieke Van Der Hulst
    2014 - 2020 Principal Supervisor Getting Alcohol Content Right: The Compositional and Sensory Basis for the Alcohol Sweetspot Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Duc-Truc Pham
    2013 - 2021 Principal Supervisor Bursting the Bubble: Understanding Australian Consumer Preferences for Sparkling Wine Styles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Dr Naomi Verdonk
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Comprehensive Study of Australian Rose Wines: Characterisation of Chemical and Sensory Profiles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jiaming Wang
    2011 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Potential for Natural Flavour Additives to Improve the Sensory Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Yaelle Saltman
    2010 - 2014 Co-Supervisor Almond (Prunus dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb) Fatty Acids and Tocopherols _ Under Different Conditions Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Ying Zhu
    2010 - 2015 Co-Supervisor A multipronged approach to encouraging proline utilisation by wine yeast Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Danfeng Long
    2009 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Factors Affecting the Levels of 3 Isobutyl 2 Methoxpyrazine and C6 Compounds in Vitis Vinifera L Merlot Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Martin Pablo Mendez Costabel
    2009 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Alternatives to Oak Barrel Maturation: Influence on Composition, Sensory Properties and Consumer Acceptance of Wine. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anna Marie Crump
    2008 - 2015 Principal Supervisor Analysis and Amelioration of Smoke Taint in Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Anthea Fudge
    2008 - 2011 Principal Supervisor Smoke Taint: Impacts on the Chemical and Microbiological Profile of Grapes and Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mrs Kerry Pinchbeck
    2008 - 2012 Principal Supervisor Condensed Tannin and Cell Wall Composition in Wine Grapes: Influence on Tannin Extraction from Grapes into Wine Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Rachel Hanlin
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83137360
  • Email: kerry.wilkinson@adelaide.edu.au
  • Campus: Waite
  • Building: Wine Innovation Central, floor 4
  • Org Unit: Agricultural Science

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