China’s taste for top Australian wines is climbing as living standards rise and demand lifts, according to the latest wine sales data. Last year, the rapidly growing market become the third largest destination for Australian wine with sales shooting up to $201.5 million in 2011, behind only the major markets of the United States and the United Kingdom. Wine sales to China and Hong Kong helped prevent a larger decline in Australian wine exports which fell to $1.89 billion last year as exports to the US and UK went into reverse, reports AdelaideNow.

Winemakers in the Margaret River wine region have their fingers crossed the weather remains fine for the next month or so as they prepare to harvest this year’s vintage. So far, everything is looking good with grape picking due to start in about five weeks. David Rankin of Vinepower contracting said plenty of people were ready to do the picking this year, especially French visitors, reports the Augusta-Margaret River Mail.

Wine lovers will have a chance to discover some of the alternative varieties being grown in Langhorne Creek as part of a new festival in the region. The Love Langhorne Creek festival is the newest festival in the cool-climate wine region which will take place through inviting cellar doors on the Valentine’s weekend, from11-12 February.

Wine bosses in Australia are frustrated by the slow progress of the country’s vine removal program, with around half the projected amount of vines being grubbed up since 2009. The 2009 Wine Restructuring Action Agenda (WRAA) indicated there were 20-30,000 hectares of surplus vineyards in Australia. The Winemakers’ Federation of Australia estimates 14,000 ha have been removed since the Agenda’s launch but reform has not been as been as extensive as hoped, reports Decanter.

A slow and rain-affected flowering is likely to reduce the Sauvignon Blanc crop across the top of the South Island. Last week’s downpour came just as the flagship variety was finishing flowering in Nelson, adding to headaches faced by vineyard managers in a difficult and disrupted season. The deluge three weeks ago hammered Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and some Chardonnay crops, reports the Nelson Mail.

Work began yesterday at the Fairmont Homes Seaford Heights housing development. It has prompted opponents to repeat calls for laws to protect the McLaren Vale district from further encroachment. The development was hotly contested last year but approved in May, clearing the way for about 1300 homes to be built on 77ha just north of the McLaren Vale wine region, reports AdelaideNow.

Next weekend’s Mount Barker Grapes and Gallops offers thousands of visitors and what the state government describes as an “extraordinary combination of wine and horse racing in the heart of the Great Southern.” Acting Tourism Minister Helen Morton said the event was recognised as the region’s favourite festival, incorporating premium wine, gourmet food and action-packed racing, reports Farm Weekly.

Next weekend’s Mount Barker Grapes and Gallops offers thousands of visitors and what the state government describes as an “extraordinary combination of wine and horse racing in the heart of the Great Southern.” Acting Tourism Minister Helen Morton said the event was recognised as the region’s favourite festival, incorporating premium wine, gourmet food and action-packed racing, reports Farm Weekly.

Coming up with a list of the top 50 things to do in McLaren Vale was tough work, Chapel Hill CEO Marc Allgrove says. The winery decided to do the countdown to mark the region’s Tour Down Under leg on Saturday, January 21. On the list, revealed on the winery’s Facebook page and website each day, are swimming in the surf, breakfast at Blessed Cheese and a walk through the Onkaparinga Gorge National Park. Mr Allgrove said the winery’s workers drew on their own favourite experiences to compile the list, reports Southern Times Messenger.

Coming up with a list of the top 50 things to do in McLaren Vale was tough work, Chapel Hill CEO Marc Allgrove says. The winery decided to do the countdown to mark the region’s Tour Down Under leg on Saturday, January 21. On the list, revealed on the winery’s Facebook page and website each day, are swimming in the surf, breakfast at Blessed Cheese and a walk through the Onkaparinga Gorge National Park. Mr Allgrove said the winery’s workers drew on their own favourite experiences to compile the list, reports Southern Times Messenger.