New Zealand Winegrowers has pulled out of London International Wine Fair – but organisers insist it is no reflection of how Kiwi wines are performing in the UK. David Cox, European director at New Zealand Winegrowers said producers were finding it too difficult to justify the investment. But Cox didn’t rule out a return to the show in 2013, reports Harpers Wine and Spirit.
Wairau River Wines is on some flash new wheels. The Marlborough wine company has bought a 1980 Excella American Airstream caravan, transforming it into a mobile wine-tasting venue. General manager Lindsay Parkinson said he wanted to create a unique experience for guests, either hosting a small group on board, or closing the caravan off to serve a larger crowd from the bar, reports The Marlborough Express.
English winemakers are planning for a summer celebrating wines from the UK. The English Wine Producers (EWP) has confirmed two key events for this year that should help the industry and trade capitalise on the Queen’s jubilee and London Olympics. With the annual EWP trade and press tasting taking place on 3 May and English Wine Week (Saturday 2 – Sunday 10 June) beginning on the Jubilee bank holiday weekend, it is hoped that the trade will seize the opportunity to promote the country’s wines, reports The Drinks Business.
Actor Sam Neill will open the Pinot Noir NZ 2013 event in Wellington next year. The star of movies such as Jurassic Park, Dean Spanley and TV series Reilly Ace of Spies, New Zealand-born Neill produces his own premium Pinot Noir at his family’s Two Paddocks vineyard in Central Otago. Pinot Noir NZ 2013 is the fifth such event showcasing the grape and the industry. It is held every three years, reports Business Day.
Wine Marlborough seasonal co-ordinator Claire Wilson believes overseas vineyard workers have adequate information and support available to avoid employment disputes. Her comments come after an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruling in favour of a former employee at Blenheim firm Savvy Contractors who had to pay much of her salary back to her boss under threat of losing her work permit, reports The Marlborough Express.
Wine Marlborough seasonal co-ordinator Claire Wilson believes overseas vineyard workers have adequate information and support available to avoid employment disputes. Her comments come after an Employment Relations Authority (ERA) ruling in favour of a former employee at Blenheim firm Savvy Contractors who had to pay much of her salary back to her boss under threat of losing her work permit, reports The Marlborough Express.
Pinot Noir is arguably the variety that sends more shivers down spines than any other, for good reasons and bad. Considered by many to be the most esoteric, ethereal, and cerebral of red wines, Pinot Noir has also been barely attainable for most of us. Top-class grand cru Burgundy has long ruled the high ground of wine intellectualism – but think big bucks if you want to join the conversation, writes News Limited national wine writer Tony Love in Adelaide Now.
Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre is recognised as one of Australia’s best tourism attractions, winning the national awards for 2011 Best Tourism Restaurant and 2011 Best Tourism Winery at the 2012 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards on Friday 2 March. Situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley, the award-winning centre offers visitors a unique and memorable experience with a combination of wine and food, reports Voxy News.
The state government is expected to release a draft of its long-awaited strategic regional land use policy today. It is understood the document will not include ‘‘ring-fencing’’ of sensitive land, leaving no area off limits from coal seam gas activities despite the hopes of groups such as the Hunter Valley Protection Alliance that the region’s vineyards would be explicitly protected. The NSW Farmers Association was briefed on the draft yesterday, and it will be outlined to the Coalition party room in Sydney today, reports the Newcastle Herald.
On a hot dusty Friday two weeks ago in Keyneton’s Eden Valley, a few days shy of vintage, Stephen and Prue Henschke celebrated 50 years of Hill of Grace and marked the new release, the 2007. It was quite an occasion; this red is widely regarded as Australia’s most renowned single-vineyard wine. Some of those majestic vines are 150 years old – and possibly the oldest Shiraz in the world, writes Jane Faulkner in The Age.