Riesling Challenge winds up after 26 years

 

One of Australia's most respected wine competitions is no more. 

The Committee of the Canberra International Riesling Challenge has made the difficult decision to wind up the event after over a quarter of a century. 

The Riesling Challenge was founded in 2000, and between 2000 and 2025 a total of 24 Challenges were held. 

The peak number of entries in any year was 567 (2018) and the peak number of countries entering was nine countries (2019). 

It was, at its peak, the largest single variety wine show in the southern hemisphere. 

“Regrettably the increase in international airfreight and challenging economic conditions in the international and Australian wine industries post-Covid have significantly impacted entry levels, and despite our best efforts we have been unable to return to operating a revenue positive event," said James Service, the event chairman. 

"Accordingly, the committee has agreed that ending the Challenge is the only appropriate course available. 

“From the outset, the Challenge has benefited from well qualified and skilled judges, a strong and enthusiastic steward cohort, a professional management team, the support of the diplomatic community and generous and steadfast sponsors.

“With the support of the entrant wineries we have been highly successful in our stated aim of improving the quality of riesling available to consumers, and increasing consumer’s appreciation and understanding of riesling.” 

All you need to know about Moldova - and its wines

Serious wine lovers may be aware that Moldova produces world-class sparkling wines, crafted using Méthode Traditionnelle and matured in limestone cellars. Others may be surprised.

The country is also home to Mileștii Mici, the world's largest wine cellar, which stores close to 2 million bottles (below). The cellars extend for 200 kilometres underground, of which only 55km are in current use.

I tried some Moldovan wine in Moscow a long time ago and was impressed by the quality. 

Should you be tempted to visit, The Republic of Moldova has just launched a new official website www.moldova.md, which it describes as a new tool for presenting the country.

The website reveals that Moldova is a small country, 135th in the world in terms of size, but among the top 20 global exporters of plums, walnuts, cherries, apricots, rape seed, apples, and grapes.

And its ranks in the top 20 global exporters of wine.

The Invest Moldova Agency says the new website is a "a modern identity card for the country, the platform provides a structured, easy-to-navigate presentation of the Republic of Moldova for international audiences and for citizens at home and abroad".

The content is presented to provide a quick and accurate understanding of Moldova. Available in English, its is specifically tailored to international audiences.

An key element of the launch is the placement of a dedicated www.moldova.md banner at Chișinău International Airport, in the passport control area, so arrivals can immediately access it.

“A strong country image is built through consistency and through an identity that is presented coherently across all international platforms," says Irina Tolstousov, deputy director, Invest Moldova Agency.

"We aim to provide the Republic of Moldova with a modern presentation framework, developed based on the experience and standards applied by countries that have been implementing nation branding strategies for many years. 

"At the same time, we placed a strong emphasis on usability and accessibility, ensuring that these tools can be used easily and effectively by institutions, partners, and communities that promote Moldova.”

Wine tourism to continue to boom

Wine tourism is booming even as producers find it hard to sell their wines.

The sector is projected to hit US$138.4 billion by 2033, industry media hub the drinks business reports.

Wine tastings are a major driver of global tourism as travellers increasingly shun sightseeing for authentic experiences.

New data from Persistence Market Research (https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com) shows how vineyard tourism is rapidly developing from a niche pastime to key force in the global tourism sector.

The global tourism market is expected to surge at a compound annual growth rate of 13% between 2026 and 2033, thanks to the shift towards experiential travel.

Europe still draws the biggest crowds - accounting for nearly two out of five global transactions in the wine tourism sector.

Classic regions, including Bordeaux, Tuscany and Rioja, have enhanced the visitor experience through improved transport networks or hospitality infrastructure.

Rail connectivity, cycling routes and winery accommodation all boost dwell time.

Asia-Pacific emerged as the fastest-growing wine tourism region. The region made up 32% of market share in 2025, and is forecasted to blossom by 15.2% per year until 2033.

Persistent Market Research puts this down to rising middle-class demand and expanding wine tourism infrastructure. 

Ningxia in China is swiftly becoming a go-to destination for wine tourists, bolstered by state backing and increased local appetite.

In North America, wine tourism is also expected to grow in the coming years at a predicted rate of 12.8% between 2026 and 2033. Here, appetite for immersive travel experience fuels demand, with wineries using technology to capitalise on this increased interest with virtual tastings, bespoke routes and booking apps.

A new hotel destination in St Kilda

If Kings Cross/Potts Point is your "go to" zone in Sydney and you like to stay in Fortitude Valley when in Brisbane then St Kilda might be your preferred place to lay your head in Melbourne.

Accor has announced a new chapter for the Saint Kilda Beach Hotel in the edgy beach suburb, which is currently undergoing a revamp led by owner ERDI, ahead of its reopening as Novotel St Kilda in October.

The transformation will see 80 re-designed guest rooms debut, "featuring a contemporary coastal palette to create calming spaces that support restorative sleep and everyday balance".

The hotel will feature a new conference and events facility for up to 140 guests, alongside a co-working space. Aa reimagined internal garden atrium will introduce natural light.

A new culinary destination, Urban Kitchen & Bar - St Kilda, is currently in development. The venue will seat up to 120 guests and include several private dining spaces.

ERDI has committed financial support to several local charities, including Sacred Heart Mission, The Mirabel Foundation, and St Kilda Mums.

“The transformation of this landmark property into Novotel St Kilda reflects the continued strength of Accor's network across the Pacific and our confidence in the Melbourne market,” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer of Accor in the Pacific region.

“Novotel is a globally recognised brand that continues to evolve in step with the needs of today's travellers."

Novotel St Kilda has an opening offer from $299 per night. To book, visit novotelstkilda.com.au

Qantas unveils Project Sunrise details

 

Flying Sydney to London non stop. 

Not for me, thanks, but it is easy to see why Qantas' unveiling of its Project Sunrise program has created so much excitement. 

Qantas will launch its world-first non-stop services between Sydney and London from October 2027. 

The announcement came as the Australian national carrier unveiled its first Airbus A350-1000ULR in Qantas livery at Airbus’ manufacturing facility in Toulouse. 

Qantas has been flying between Sydney and London since 1947, when the original Kangaroo Route took four days with seven stops in Darwin, Singapore, Calcutta, Karachi, Cairo, Castel Benito and Rome. 

The new non-stop flights will cut up to four hours off the travel time compared to current one-stop services with a time of around 22 hours. These ultra long-haul services will operate alongside Qantas’ existing Perth-London and Sydney-Singapore-London services. 

The first Project Sunrise Sydney to London services will go on sale in February 2027, the airline says.

The A350-1000ULR has been specifically manufactured by Airbus for Project Sunrise, fitted with an additional 20,000-litre fuel tank that enables the aircraft to fly more than 16,000 kilometres, for up to 22 hours non-stop. 

Qantas will take delivery of 12 aircraft in total, each configured with 238 seats across four cabins.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said confirmation of the launch route marks a new dawn of travel for customers around the world.

“Qantas was built on the belief that Australia's distance from the rest of the world should never stand in the way," Hudson says. "The pioneering spirit of generations of our people has forged that path ever since, and today is the most significant step in that mission in our 105-year history.

“Since we first flew the Kangaroo Route in 1947, where we stopped seven times on the way to London, every generation of aircraft has taken a stop out of the journey. Today, we're taking out the last one."

I like a stop or two en route. A meal, maybe, a massage, even an overnight sleep. But for many speed in of the essence and this fits their needs. 

Since 2018, more than 1.7 million passengers have flown on Qantas' non-stop long-haul services from Perth to London, Rome and Paris, and its Melbourne to Dallas and Auckland to New York services. 

Travel advisory pleases Australian travel agents

Does a subtle change to a government advisory make you more, or less, likely to travel?

The Australian Government this week lowered its travel advice for Bahrain, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Level 4 "Do Not Travel" to Level 3 "Reconsider your need to travel."

The Australian Travel Industry Association, the umbrella body for licensed travel agents, is calling the subtle switch a win for Australian travellers.

The change matters most for Australians travelling through Middle Eastern hubs to reach Europe, the United Kingdom, India, and Africa.

More than 150,000 Australians have transited through the region in the past six weeks alone.

Throughout this period, ATIA says it has worked with the Australian Government, DFAT, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, to ensure travel advice reflects both the risks on the ground and the practical realities facing Australian travellers.

ATIA says the Level 4 advisory "created real complications and confusion for travellers with brief airside transits, especially around insurance cover". The downgrade removes that.

Level 3 remains a high threshold and the Government’s advice is that non-essential travel should be avoided. Prudent when Israel continues to attack and provoke other nations in the Middle East.

DFAT continues to advise "Do Not Travel" to Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Yemen. Some areas within Israel also remain "Do Not Travel."

ATIA recommends speaking with an ATIA-accredited travel agent or tour operator before booking.

"This is a sensible and welcome adjustment, and one ATIA has been seeking for some time," says ATIA CEO Dean Long/

"For many Australians, these hubs are the connecting points that get them to the UK, Europe, India and Africa. In seeking a travel advisory level commensurate with the reality of travel as a transiting passenger, ATIA was looking to ensure transiting passengers had all the benefits of travel insurance while on the ground.

“Additionally, with 150,000 Australians having safely travelled through those hubs, we wanted to ensure consumer confidence in Smartraveller’s advice remains optimum - travellers were telling our members that the “do not travel” advice for passing through just didn’t seem to hit the right balance.”