Liberal Senator Anne Ruston has given the WA wine industry hope it could avoid big job losses and rationalisation as a result of changes to tax rules. The Assistant Minister for Agriculture said the coalition would reconsider its changes to the wine equalisation tax if it won the election. Senator Ruston, who has been at the forefront of negotiations on behalf of the Government, met WA industry leaders in Margaret River and the Swan Valley in the past two days to hear their concerns.

Letting New Zealand wine producers access $18 million in tax rebates funded by Australian taxpayers while they compete against local rivals for shelf space and sales “beggars belief”, say local winemakers. Winemakers from Australia’s wine regions are fuming that an overhaul of a Wine Equalisation Tax rebate by the Turnbull Government has left intact a subsidy paid to Kiwi winemakers who are vying for the same markets as Australian producers.

Team producing HK$2,600-a-bottle cabernet blend in one of the remotest parts of the country with help of Tibetan farmers aim to deliver the greatest wine in China and make it world-class. In a function room at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Jean-Guillaume Prats, president of Moet Hennessy Estates & Wines, presents a dramatic video of swirling white clouds over snow-capped mountains, long-haired yaks, old women in colourful dress, and terraced hills.

Speaking to db in an interview, the new md of Majestic Retail John Colley said the wine specialist had developed an operational business plan based on the vision put forward by CEO Rowan Gormley last November, adopting ideas and input from staff across the business. The company’s new stated aim to be the nation’s favourite wine specialists, and Colley drew a parallel with the effective way the Apple Store has built and maintains loyalty with its customer-base by focusing on what it sees as its usp – its in-store experience.

Marlborough wine companies are in expansion mode, planting vineyards and applying for resource consents to expand their wineries. The demand for New Zealand wine, which has seen exports double since 2008, has put the industry in an optimistic state of mind, with many wine companies planning for future growth. Wine Marlborough general manager Marcus Pickens said winery expansions and the rise in resource consents was led by increased plantings, which was in turn driven by demand.

Nelson’s health board has defended its decision to fight for tiny tots of wine in a seven-course degustation. Wellington chef Martin Bosley, who is preparing food for a seven-course degustation meal at Te Awhina Marae, said it was “ridiculous” that each of the courses would be served with just 50ml of wine. The marae had wanted to serve 100ml glasses, then 75ml, but had to drop it to 50ml after negotiations with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board.

Australian fine wine has been toasted in New York this week at a number of events celebrating the 2016 World’s 50 Best Restaurants and the announcement that Melbourne will host the awards in 2017. Close to 1000 of the world’s culinary elite were guests at both the official World’s 50 Best Awards ceremony held at Cipriani on Sunday night.

Once again, sommeliers from around Australia have sat the Introductory and Certified Sommelier Examinations held in Sydney on June 10th 2016, with much success. Established in 1977, the Court of Master Sommeliers is the most esteemed vocational body for the industry, hosting the programme annually in participating countries around the globe. The first Court of Master Sommelier courses were held in Australia in 2008. Since then in Australia 789 sommeliers have participated in the examinations.

Published in the May-June issue of the Wine & Viticulture Journal, Angelica Crabb looks at the ‘what ifs’ ahead of Thursday’s referendum in which voters in the UK will decide whether Britain should exit from the European Union. In February 2016, UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced that a referendum on whether or not Britain would remain in the European Union will be held on Thursday 23 June 2016.

Two of Australia’s leading digital providers for the wine industry have announced the first in a series of country-wide events showcasing the latest technological trends and product solutions for grapegrowers and winemakers. BlackSquare, a global provider of DTC solutions and Vintrace, who specialise in cloud based production software, are hosting the events which kick off in the Yarra Valley on July 7.