Cognac in crisis: grape growers to demonstrate

Unhappy times in Charente with angry grape growers for Cognac producers planning a major protest. 

Cognac wine growers are being called to a "strong mobilization to demonstrate" at the Moisans distillery (above) on Wednesday in Sireuil, the General Union of Winegrowers for the Cognac AOC (UGVC) announced. 

It follows a previous demo in 2024 and aims to "enforce the contracts of winegrowers whose contracts have been illegally terminated by certain producers," French wine industry newsletter Vitisphere reports. 

The UGVC is targeting the Moisans Distillery, which produces Cognacs under the Deau, Roland Bru, and Moisans cognacs, Vitisphere said. 

Confirming that his business had reduced about 20 contracts with winegrowers by 60%, Olivier Petit, the managing director of the Moisans distillery, defended his operations. 

“I don’t know why we’re being targeted; we reduced our contracts like everyone else," he said. "We’re not perfect, and I would have preferred to honour everything. 

"We reduced the contracts based on our bottle sales capacity; I can’t buy what I can’t sell and pay for."

Petit complained about discounting in the industry. 

"We’re doing everything we can to respect our partners,” Petit added. 

The UGVC said: "The Moisans distillery has significantly reduced its commitments despite signed contracts, and has even failed to pay winegrowers for wines purchased from them.

"While some winegrowers are directly affected by contracts with this company, the entire wine industry is actually threatened by this kind of practice." 

«

Vietnam Air spreads its wings to Amsterdam

There is a potential new route to Europe for Australians. To Amsterdam via Vietnam.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines is set to launch its first route to the Netherlands, news hub Travel Mole reports.

From June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will fly three times per week to Amsterdam on wide-body Airbus A350 aircraft.

The flights will depart Hanoi on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Inbound flights are timed to meet onward connections on domestic and regional networks including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Phu Quoc and more.

Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport is one of northern Europe’s major air hubs.

“This direct route is an important milestone in our strategy to expand the European network, said Nguyen Quang Trung, deputy CEO of Vietnam Air.

"Our presence at one of the world’s major aviation hubs opens new business opportunities for the airline.”

The Amsterdam service takes Vietnam Air's European network to eight destinations.

These are Paris, London, Munich, Frankfurt, Milan, Copenhagen and Moscow, as well as Amsterdam.

# Thai Airways has also launched direct flights from Bangkok to Amsterdam with that route starting from July 1. It promises daily flights on Airbus A350s. 

Oaks offers 30% off two-day stays

 

Feel the need to get away for a few days?

Oaks Hotels, Resorts & Suites is running a deal this month across its full portfolio of properties with Up to 30% off Oaks Hotels stays.

So think solo days by the pool, golf trips with the crew, or a spontaneous long weekend to recharge.

The properties on offer include tropical tranquility at Oaks Port Douglas Resort, a wine-country escape at Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort in the Hunter Valley, or a chic city break at Oaks Melbourne on Collins Suites.

The offer: Save 30% when you book 2 nights at Oaks Hotels properties until February 23, including Oaks Casuarina Santai Resort and Oaks Lake Crackenback Resort.

Image: Oaks Gold Coast Calypso Suites.  

In the pink: Love takes flight with Emirates this Valentine’s Day

 

You don't even have to be a lovebird to enjoy some romance onboard Emirates flights this Valentine’s Day.

Flyers will be treated to Valentine’s-themed cakes and chocolates onboard, as well as a range of pink desserts in Emirates lounges, rosé Champagne, and mood-setting movies and music.

Every customer flying in economy and premium economy on Saturday will receive a mini gift box with a raspberry chocolate brownie, while soft red mood lighting will illuminate the aircraft.

First and business class customers will also be gifted chocolate brownies and mini raspberry ganache tarts adorned with hearts. The A380 onboard lounge will be serving a selection of sweet treats, from lemon and raspberry cupcakes to profiteroles and mini tarts.

Emirates first class customers will be welcomed onboard with a glass of Dom Pérignon Rosé 2009. Business class customers will be offered Moët & Chandon Rosé Impérial.

In the Emirates Lounges in Dubai from February 13-15, à la carte and buffet appetisers and main courses will be on offer while first class customers can indulge in crafted desserts, including raspberry vanilla cake, pistachio strawberry cake, and red velvet cake, alongside an array of mocktails and cocktails.

Across Emirates Lounges worldwide, customers will be greeted with Valentine’s-themed dishes and drinks, from heart-shaped ravioli in Rome to Valentine’s cupcakes in Cairo and chocolate-dipped strawberries in Sri Lanka.

Tasmania to get a new east coast resort

Tasmania’s spectacular east coast will gain a new luxury accommodation and vineyard experience later this year. 

Wineglass Bay Estate and its on-site vineyard Kitty’s Mistake are scheduled to open on June 10, the owner said in a press release. 

On the fringes of Freycinet National Park, the new property will feature a collection of retreats set along the edge of Moulting Lagoon with guests enjoying access to Kitty’s Mistake, a boutique, cool-climate vineyard within the property planted with young pinot noir vines. 

The new property is aimed at travellers "seeking meaningful experiences and the opportunity to engage with the surrounding landscape and local producers".

“The intention was to create a stay that sits quietly within its environment, offering the comfort and considered detail of a five-star hotel, with the privacy and space more often associated with a private stay,” said Kim Alfeldi, the owner of Wineglass Bay Estate. 

Wineglass Bay Estate has been developed with a deliberate focus on quality over scale, the release says. 

Guests will be encouraged to engage with the surrounding landscape, local producers and seasonal rhythms of the region. 

Accommodation retreats will all face front and centre overlooking the water, each designed to offer uninterrupted water views. 

Each retreat will have a king bed, en-suite bathroom, and spacious deck. 

Wineglass Bay Estate is about 2 hours from either Launceston or Hobart. 

See https://wineglassbayestate.com.au/ and stay tuned for more info. 

Bless the baby cheeses - and wines

 

Calling all lovers of cheeses and wines. 

Mould x Pinot Palooza returns this year with its largest food and wine tour yet, visiting Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide. Hobart again misses out. 

The festival boasts its brings "friends, fromages and fermentation" under one roof for one of Australia’s biggest food and wine celebrations.

Mould (established in 2017) will showcase 50+ varieties of Australian artisan cheeses, drawing producers from around the country. 

Pinot Palooza, which began in 2012, showcases 50+ expressions of pinot noir from Australia, New Zealand and beyond. 

Sydney returns after an 18-month hiatus dropping in at the Hordern Pavilion, while the Melbourne event moves to the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC). 

Brisbane returns to the John Reid Pavilion at the RNA Showgrounds, and Perth to the Silver Jubilee Pavilion at Claremont Showgrounds.

Building on the popularity of last year’s tour, the 2026 program will see four sessions run over three days, with Sundays now part of the line-up in every location.



Jess Audas, head of organisers Revel, said: “Cheese and pinot naturally belong together, and this format gives people the freedom to explore both at their own pace, talk directly with producers, and enjoy the experience without it feeling over-programmed or precious. 

"It’s about great produce, great people and having a genuinely good time.”

On sale now via mouldxpalooza.com, tickets are $59 + booking fee and include festival entry, unlimited cheese and pinot tastings, a complimentary cooler bag for cheese purchases, a stemless wine glass for tastings and a custom wine tote. 

Event Dates: 

BRISBANE: May 22-24, John Reid Pavilion, RNA Showgrounds

SYDNEY: June 12-14, The Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park

MELBOURNE: July 3-5, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre 

PERTH: August 7-9, Silver Jubilee Pavilion, Claremont Showgrounds

ADELAIDE: August28-30, The Queens Theatre