THIS year’s Australian Altern­ative Varieties Wine Show has attracted a record-breaking number of 774 entries submitted by 219 exhib­itors from 62 wine ­regions across Australia and New Zealand.

The New York-based alcoholic beverages giant Constellation Brands is preparing to sell its $US1 billion ($1.31 billion) Canadian wine business to concentrate more on premium wines, raising questions about how long it may hold its stake in Australia’s Accolade Wines.