Check out a new branding from Penfolds

 

Thinking of gifting a bottle of Penfolds wine over the festive season?

Maybe one with a point of difference? 

Penfolds has just unveiled its holiday collection for the 2024 festive season with the release of Holiday Designed by NIGO. 

The collectable series is available for a limited time globally and includes four giftboxes designed by Penfolds Creative Partner NIGO - the renowned Japanese artist.

Penfolds Holiday Collection is inspired by NIGO’s interpretation of the graphic checkered pattern found in traditional Asian textiles. 

A symbol of eternity and prosperity, the two-tone square pattern repeats horizontally and vertically across all Penfolds holiday giftboxes. 

NIGO’s designs are showcased across a collectable suite of festive giftboxes (designed in four colours: red, green, blue and black).

The collection is headlined by Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz ($120) with entry level wines at $30. 

NIGO, who only uses one name (like Bono without the voice) said: “It was very important to me to incorporate my culture into this holiday collection.

“Integrating the checkered design and Furoshiki was a clear way for me to honour that. With this Furoshiki, Ihope collectors can wrap, gift, and share their Penfolds wines this holiday season.”

Penfolds first announced NIGO as its Creative Partner in June 2023, with the global release of One by Penfolds.

For stockist information andmore details visit www.penfolds.com.

Where is hip and happening for Asian travellers?

Couples around Asia have Tokyo as their prime travel destination right now. 

Digital travel platform Agoda had unveiled the top destinations couples are looking to visit this month, based on accommodation searches made on Agoda.

The ranking highlights a strong preference for city destinations over beach resorts with Tokyo, Seoul, and Bangkok leading the list.

Other popular cities include Osaka, Taipei, and Hong Kong, indicating a trend towards vibrant cityscapes and cultural hubs.

The full list is: Tokyo,  Seoul, Bangkok, Osaka, Taipei, Bali, Hong Kong, Fukuoka, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore. 

When analyzed at a market level, the data reveals that Bangkok is the favorite for couples from Malaysia and Vietnam, while Tokyo is the top choice for those from Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan.

Andrew Smith, senior vice-president for supply at Agoda, said: “One might associate romantic getaways with a retreat in Maldives, Santorini, or Bali, but it's clear from Agoda's insights that city trips are a favorite among modern couples. 

“These destinations offer something different each time and cater to shorter getaways. Great for couples unable to take long vacations but still looking to spend some quality time together away from home. At Agoda, we're excited to assist couples in discovering the perfect destination to celebrate their love."

For more info visit agoda.com 

Bargain airfares for 24 hours only

Fancy a cheap trip away? Ready to plan ahead? 

Vietjet is offering travellers a 24-hour ticket promotion on October 1 - that’s tomorrow.

From 00:00 to 23:59 (GMT+7), passengers can apply the promo code VJ1010 when booking tickets via www.vietjetair.com or the Vietjet Air mobile app for a chance to score discounted fares, with only taxes and surcharges applicable.

The availability of discounted seats varies depending on the route and travel dates. But you do have a chance to win.

Passengers booking using the code will also receive complimentary Sky Care travel insurance, which offers comprehensive coverage for medical and flight-related issues.

Travellers can also earn points with the Vietjet SkyJoy loyalty program, unlocking exciting rewards and benefits. Experience modern, eco-friendly aircraft served by Vietjet’s professional and dedicated flight crews, known for their heartfelt serv

The offer can also be accessed via the Vietjet Air app on October 10.

I’m currently in Vietnam as a guest of Vietjet and had a comfortable and on-time arrival. Flight report to follow.

Felons crew brewing big plans for Manly

Brisbane craft brewer Felons Brewing Co. is expanding to Sydney.

Felons will be taking over Manly Wharf Bar from Friday, October 18.

Since taking ownership of Manly Wharf in April, Artemus Group, the group behind Brisbane’s acclaimed Howard Smith Wharves, has been re-creating the waterfront precinct as a vibrant hub for community and culture.

Felons Brewing Co. will serve as a central feature of the Wharf’s revitalised experience.

“We’re excited to unveil Felons’ new home at Manly Wharf,” said Adam Flaskas, co-founder and director of Artemus Group. “Our vision for Manly Wharf has always been to create a dynamic, community-focused destination, that fuses dining, and entertainment and raises the bar on hospitality.”

Paul Henry, co-founder and director of Artemus Group, added: “As a Sydney boy, I have had many fun times on the Northern Beaches. Manly is the gateway to our famous city, and truly special, where the ocean meets the harbour.

“Felons is a special beer, to be enjoyed with friends and fun times. I am excited and indeed honoured to be involved in the revitalisation of the iconic Manly Wharf and to bring our beloved Felons brewery to its new home in Sydney.”

Felons Brewing Co. was established by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry alongside CEO Luke Fraser; brand director Dean Romeo; and brewery director Tom Champion.

Collectively, they have over 75 years of brewing experience.

“Our brewing philosophy at Felons Brewing Co. has always been guided by a core belief - to brew no-fuss beer with fresh, local ingredients while focusing on balanced and sessionable products that drive sociability and memorable experiences for our customers,” said Champion.

Felons Manly will showcase a selection of their award-winning beers, including Crisp Lager, Galaxy Haze, and Australian Pale Ale, as well as barrel-aged beer, and seasonal and limited-edition brews.

Beyond beers, the drinks list will include a mix of cocktails; Champagne; Australian and international wines; a selection of spirits; and (a must nowadays) non-alcoholic alternatives.

Chef Corey Costelloe, former culinary director of Rockpool Bar and Grill, has designed the Felons Manly menu.

The menu features beef supplied by CopperTree farms along with Clarence River baby octopus with lemon, chilli and oregano; 36-hour fermented pizza dough, kick-started with a splash of Felons Australian Pale Ale before being topped with fresh, local ingredients; and whole butterflied whiting from Coffs Harbour.

Felons will launch a new music program, featuring live jazz, soul, and funk bands most nights, along with Sydney’s top DJs spinning disco, 80s boogie and Afrocentric grooves.

See www.wharfbar.com.au 

So Qantas did lie to its customers

You probably guessed this all along, but Australian flag carrier Qantas has been lying to its customers for years. 

Qantas has been fined $100 million for misleading customers on flight bookings over several years, with a court hearing senior managers were partly aware of the practice.

The airline admitted that it had contravened the Australian Consumer Law and had benefitted from its immoral conduct.

Expect minimal coverage from mainstream travel media, however, as Qantas is a big-spending advertiser. 

Qantas was ordered by the Federal Court to pay $100 million in penalties for misleading consumers, according to a statement from the ACCC.

Justice Helen Rofe formally ordered Qantas to pay the penalty after the competition watchdog and the airline agreed in May on the cost.

“This is a substantial penalty, which sets a strong signal to all businesses, big or small, that they will face serious consequences if they mislead their customers,” ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb said.

Qantas admitted to contravening Australian Consumer Law (ACL) after it was found to be offering and selling tickets for flights it planned to cancel - and failing to promptly inform existing ticket holders.

The carrier agreed to make joint submissions with the ACCC to the court, admitting the $100m fine is a sufficient means to deter Qantas and other businesses from breaching the ACL in the future, while also "recognising Qantas' cooperation in resolving the proceedings at an early stage".

The ACCC said "Qantas admitted it breached the ACL by engaging in misleading or deceptive conduct, making false or misleading representations and engaging in conduct liable to mislead the public about more than 82,000 flights scheduled to depart between May 2022 and May 2024".

In addition to the $100m in penalties, Qantas will pay about $20 million to consumers who purchased tickets on flights that the airline had already decided to cancel, or in some cases, who were re-accommodated on those flights after their original flights were cancelled.

Not exactly the Spirit of Australia.  

The numbers are very bubbly for Prosseco DOC

Australians still cannot get enough of affordable DOC Prosecco.

Recent data shows a big jump in popularity for Italian Prosecco.

More than 2.13 million bottles of the bubbly have been sold in Australia so far this year, which is a 14% increase on 2023 numbers.

The Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia (ICCI AUS) says the rise in popularity is because Australian drinkers are looking for a taste of the Mediterranean at home.

The president of the DOC consorzio, Giancarlo Guidolin, expressed his satisfaction at the current trends and what it means for the ongoing relationship with the Australian market.

“In recent years, we have seen a positive trend in the Australian market, which gives us great satisfaction considering the ongoing issues with Australia regarding the protection of our designation,” Guidolin said.

Italian producers object to Australian wineries using the name Prosecco.

“These issues are currently tied to the outcome of the negotiations on the free trade agreement with the EU, within which the protection of a list of European designations will be established,” he said.

I see no difficulties were Australian producers to use the name Aussecco, or Ozsecco.

While the sparkling wine variety has seen a solid jump in popularity in Australia, the Frizzante variety of Prosecco DOC has also seen a major jump in sales, albeit from a lower base.

Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Australia CEO, Rachele Grassi, said the soaring popularity of DOC Prosecco in Australia was gratifying but unsurprising.

“Australian consumers have a passion for Italy and, knowing that by looking for the geographical indication Prosecco DOC they are guaranteed an authentic Italian product, they are transported to the sun-drenched elegance of a Mediterranean getaway,” she said. 

Prosecco DOC sales figures have also increased across been the US, UK, Germany and France.

Image: Giancarlo Moretti Polegato - owner of Villa Sandi, which produces top-notch DOC and DOCG Prosecco.

A very stylish Melbourne address

In an era of cookie-cutter new-build chain hotels it is a delight to stay somewhere with serious individuality and style. 

The Art Deco-style Savoy Hotel on Little Collins also has a great location opposite Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station, and a fascinating history. 

Part of the TFE Hotels group, The Savoy has a definite 1920s-1930s vibe - but with all modern conveniences. And the room rates are surprisingly affordable. 

My deluxe room with a king bed was spacious with all the modern comforts you could ask for. 

The stately building dates back to 1866 when it was known as the very fashionable Alexander’s Family Hotel.

It has since been through several iterations but retains the honour of having been the first hotel in town with en-suite bathrooms, hot and cold water in each room and climate control. Quite a trendsetter. 

After being used as a live-in police academy it was reborn as a hotel in 1991 - as the Savoy Park Plaza. 

In its current guise, The Savoy has 162 guest rooms and a suite. There are six meeting rooms and cocktail function capacity for up to 320 thirsty folk. There is also a gym, should you feel so inclined. 

The ground floor Alexander Bar has that historic ambiance and is open for breakfast and dinner. 

The revamped interior design was done by high-profile Woods Bagot.

Room all have air con, free wifi, HD TVs, tea and coffee-making facilities, in-room safes, iron and ironing board and mini bar. 

There is a 24-hour reception - who remembered my 4am wake-up call. Thanks guys. 

If you stay you’ll join a list of esteemed guests that includes Louis Armstrong, Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald, the Seekers, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner and Fred Astaire.

The Savoy Hotel on Little Collins, 630 Little Collins St, Melbourne. (03) 9622 8888. www.savoyhotelmelbourne.com 

# The writer was hosted by TFE Hotels 

Celebrate the flavours of Tokyo

Tokyo will host two major foodie events during October that will celebrate the city's culinary heritage and innovative flavours.

The Taste of Tokyo 2024 runs from October 25-27 and the Ramen Festa 2024 from October 24-November 4.

Taste of Tokyo 2024 events will be held in Marunouchi, Hibiya, Yurakucho, and Toyosu with free admission.

This event features a diverse array of stalls offering dishes crafted from locally sourced Tokyo produce. Visitors can indulge in gourmet treats, explore local markets showcasing fresh ingredients, and enjoy special menu items from nearby restaurants.

Tokyo Ramen Festa 2024 is hosted at Komazawa Olympic Park.

Formerly known as the Tokyo Ramen Show, the Ramen Festa invites enthusiasts to immerse themselves in Japan's iconic noodle dish.

There will vendors in total ranging from newcomers to established favourites.

Now Reese Witherspoon has her own wine range

The celebrity wine trend is becoming a tidal wave.

Australia’s Treasury Wine Estates (TWE) has announced the launch of a new Drop of Sunshine range created in partnership with Hello Sunshine, a media company founded by movie star Reese Witherspoon.

TWE has teamed up with Hello Sunshine to launch a new range of three wines - a California Brut Sparkling Rosé (US$25), Central Coast Chardonnay ($20), and Central Coast Red Blend ($25), news portal drinks business reports.

Hello Sunshine is an American media company founded by Witherspoon and Strand Equity founder and managing partner Seth Rodsky in 2016.

The wines will make their debut this weekend in Los Angeles at Hello Sunshine’s second annual Shine Away event, featuring two days of panel discussions and workshops for female brand founders.

Hello Sunshine focuses on telling female-driven stories on film, TV and digital platforms.

Sarah Bakx, president of the Bold Brands business unit of Treasury Americas, a division in the super-complex TWE heirachy, gushes: “We are honoured to work alongside Hello Sunshine who (sic) elevates women’s voices and ensures our stories are heard. Wine is all about connection and is a fantastic platform for sharing special moments and storytelling. Our female-led Drop of Sunshine team collaborated with Hello Sunshine to create a line of engaging and vibrant wines that tell a story about the journeys that shape who we are and celebrate the drops of joy we feel along the way.”

Righto.

Planning can save travel angst - and save money

Travelling at the wrong time can add a whole lot of angst your day.

Pre-Christmas, school holiday and Monday mornings are all busier than usual periods at airports.

The team from the Truely Travel eSIM company says: "Understanding the details of holiday travel can save you time, money, and a lot of stress."

Their travel expert Alexandra Bowman says there are some key times when you should think carefully before booking your holiday trips.

Avoid Peak Travel Days: Timing is key for holiday travel. Book outside periods like Anzac Day and Christmas. Booking on these peak days can lead to higher costs and crowded airports. Instead, consider traveling on off-peak days like Christmas Day or the day after New Year to save money and stress.

Avoid Last-Minute Bookings: Waiting until the last minute to book is another mistake. Many travellers believe they can find great deals, but often end up paying higher prices. The Expedia 2024 Air Travel Hacks Report shows that booking 25 days in advance can save travellers an average of 33%. 

Know Your Destination’s Peak Season: Understanding the peak season for your destination is crucial. Ski resorts during the holidays usually have higher prices and larger crowds, while places like Hawaii may be cheaper if visited a few weeks before Christmas.

Book in advance: Reserving flights and accommodations months ahead can secure better rates, as can choosing off-peak days: Flying midweek usually leads to lower fares and fewer people.

Exploring less popular destinations: Visiting lesser-known places can save money and reduce crowds.
Crowded destinations can make your trip stressful, turning relaxation into a hassle. 

Info from https://truely.com

Image: Jerome Quek, Scop.io

Do you have a Burning Love for Elvis?

Calling all lovers of The King. Elvis Presley, that is, not Wally Lewis.

Head to country New South Wales for the 2025 Parkes Elvis Festival, which will run from January 8-12.

The 32nd annual festival will pay tribute to Elvis (Presley not Costello) with a 1960s Easy Come, Easy Go theme, offering fans a program of concerts, dancing, markets, and a few surprises.

The event is expected to attract 25,000 Elvis lovers, more than doubling the population of the town.

Festival favourites like the Evolution Mining Street Parade, Renewal of Vows Ceremony, bustling markets, and performances on the Cooke Park Main Stage and Memphis Stage all return.

A highlight of 2025 will be the launch of the Gates of Graceland, a full-sized replica of the iconic Graceland gates, located at the Parkes Visitor Information Centre.

Jack Gatto, one of Australia’s leading Elvis tribute artists, will perform a live solo show.

This year also introduces six new ticketed shows at the Parkes Services Club, featuring top Elvis tribute artists from Australia, New Zealand, and Scotland (who knew?).

“Each year we work to capture the essence of Elvis, and the 2025 Festival will be no different," says Joel Ulbricht, the festival producer.

"This year’s program offers something for everyone—whether you’ve been rockin’ with us since the early days or are discovering the King’s magic for the first time.”

For details and tickets see www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

Bird in Hand boosts links with Tasmania

Hobart’s Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens is to link with Adelaide Hills wine producer Bird in Hand on a new project next year.

Bird in Hand, which has recently acquired vineyards on the Apple Isle, will introduce a tasting room, offer wine and food experiences, and manage the on-site restaurant and kiosk in the gardens.

A fine dining experience similar to Bird in Hand’s LVN Restaurant in Woodside will feature among the offerings, showcasing the produce, art, flora and fauna of Tasmania.

With work underway to redesign the food and beverage facilities throughout the gardens, Bird in Hand’s decision to pursue the contract with the Botanical Gardens strengthens its growth strategy in Tasmania.

This includes the recent acquisition of a long-term winery lease in Rowella, in the West Tamar, and ongoing wine production at its Seymour property, located on the east coast of the island state.

The upcoming tasting room at the Botanical Gardens will showcase Bird in Hand’s new Tasmania range, set to launch later this year, along with a selection of other locally crafted beverages.

“With our expansion of wine production in Tasmania, our winemaking team is focused heavily on showcasing the cool-climate qualities of the region,” says Andrew Nugent, who co-founded Bird in Hand with wife Susie.

“What better place to now pour these spectacular varietals than one of Australia’s premier gardens? When paired with our culinary vision for the Botanical Gardens andthe Bird in Hand service style, it’s an alignment we are excited to see evolve over the coming years.”

The 14-hectare Botanical Gardens has nurtured rare, native and intriguing plants for over 200 years.

“The Bird in Hand estate in Woodside showcases a core pillar of the brand: an enduring respect for the Indigenous cultures and traditional owners of the land upon which we are situated. This is something inherent in our operations and an approach on which we place the utmost importance,” Nugent says.

“Our Woodside property also highlights Susie’s love of garden design. While the grounds are much smaller in scale and cross-section of plants, they are tended to equally in passion for nurturing natural places of joy and contemplation – an ever-changing backdrop to memorable moments of generous hospitality.”


Located at 11 Lower Domain Road, Queens Domain, Hobart, the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens open 365 days a year. Hospitality venue opening hours are yet to be announced.

All change on St Kilda Road

All change on St Kilda Road.

Minor Hotels, one of the world’s fastest growing hotel groups, has expanded its portfolio with the opening this week of Oaks Melbourne St Kilda Road Hotel in Melbourne.

The 145-room hotel, previously branded as a Mercure, is located in the heart of the funky suburb of St 

That means it is close to Albert Park, home of the Melbourne Grand Prix. It’s also a stone’s throw away from popular spots like Albert Park Lake, the Albert Park Yacht Club, the Boatshed Café, Fawkner Park, and a range of corporate offices.

With a quick tram ride, you can be in the heart of Melbourne CBD.

Guests can choose from a range of self-contained studios, one-bedroom and two-bedroom dual room types, each with kitchenettes, private balconies, wifi and Chromecast capability.

There is an on-site restaurant, gym facilities and hotel laundry.

“The addition of Oaks Melbourne St Kilda Road Hotel to our property portfolio supports our strategic expansion of the Oaks brand in Australasia.” said Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer for Minor Hotels Australia and New Zealand.

“Melbourne is a vibrant city with a raft of sporting and cultural events on its calendar, and Oaks Melbourne St Kilda Road Hotel is ideal for business and leisure travellers wanting to stay in one of the city’s most iconic destinations, with convenient connection to the CBD and sporting & entertainment venues.

For more info visit minorhotels.com 

Frequent flyer points for catching the train?

Eurostar is set to become the first non-airline partner of international airline alliance SkyTeam.

The railway network has signed a deal with SkyTeam paving the way for integrated  journeys via air and rail, news hub Travel Mole reports. 

This would enable travellers to combine long- and medium-haul flights and rail journeys in a single reservation – while enjoying SkyTeam benefits.

SkyTeam is one of the world's three major airline alliances, along with Star Alliance and Oneworld. It has an annual passenger count of 624 million flyers.

Eurostar’s network offers options for multi-city journeys between the UK, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.

Customers will be able to fly into SkyTeam’s main hubs in France, the Netherlands and the UK plus other major European airports across Eurostar’s network and enjoy multi-city travel. 

Around 13% of Eurostar passengers currently fly long-haul into one of SkyTeam’s main European hubs and connect to Eurostar destinations by rail.

The two companies will work together in the coming months to create a more "integrated experience" and the partnership is expected to launch in the first half of 2025.

Eurostar and SkyTeam member KLM already have a long-standing relationship.

“Eurostar is a natural fit for SkyTeam," says aid SkyTeam CEO Patrick Roux.

" I look forward to developing our partnership and offering customers greater choice in how they travel across SkyTeam’s global network.” 

SkyTeam members include Air France, KLM, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Airlines, Garuda, China Airlines, Korean, Scandinavian Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

A morning stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake

A morning stroll around Hoàn Kiếm Lake is a must for anyone visiting Hanoi.

Locals and tourists were posing for photos this morning as Vietnam readies for its 70th anniversary of independence next week.

Hoàn Kiếm Lake means "Lake of the Returned Sword" or "Lake of the Restored Sword") it is a fresh water lake, measuring some 12 hectares right in the centre of the Vietnamese capital. 

# The writer is visiting Vietnam as a guest of independent airline Vietjet, which flies from major Australian capitals to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Further information at www.vietjetair.com 

Going Spanish on a Bangkok rooftop

Bangkok may be south-east Asia’s street food mecca, but you might be surprised what else can be found in this crazy capital, our globetrotting correspondent Rod Eime reports. 

Some time ago, we sampled excellent Indian and Mexican food at the Rembrandt Hotel in Soi 18. Quite satisfactory Middle Eastern food can be found in the multilevel MBK shopping complex at Siam along with all the cosmopolitan fast food brands we’re used to at home.

My last couple of visits introduced me to the authentic Spanish tapas served by visiting chefs at the brand-new Melia INNSiDE Bangkok Sukhumvit a stone’s throw from the On Nut BTS station.

Walk-ins are welcome at Luz Bangkok on the 33rd floor. Spanish chef de cuisine Juan Ignacio García Racionero, who was born in Madrid and has honed his craft in some of Spain’s top kitchens, takes us on a culinary crusade through Spain, with a dynamic variety of local Thai ingredients in the mix, too. 

My dining companion seems too distracted by chef Juan’s movie-star looks to make up her mind, so we say, “Just bring it!” and throw ourselves at his mercy. As it turned out, I’m glad I was hungry.

Against a backdrop of Bangkok’s illuminated skyline, the dishes just kept coming:  ‘Gilda de Pulpo' grilled octopus, olives, pickled paprika and olive oil, 

‘Sardine Ahumada Con Lima’ smoked sardine with lime and avocado cream, ‘Gambas Al Ajillo’ sauteed prawns with chilli, garlic and olive oil, and ‘Ensalada De Salmorejo Burrata’ burrata with cold tomato creamy soup, anchovy and avocado are among ‘LUZ Tapas’ highlights.

“One of my favourite dishes is the ‘Pulpo a la Parrilla’,” Juan tells us. He adds mango, chilli and smoked paprika purée to create a contrast of sweet, salty, and spicy flavours, offering a fresh take on the traditional Spanish recipe.

SEE MENU [PDF]

Just over my shoulder is the mandatory cocktail bar which beckons me to challenge it and in no time the bar resounds to the satisfying rattle of the silver cocktail shaker.

To say every dish is beautifully presented and delicious even for an unfamiliar palate goes without saying. Much as I love Bangkok's cornucopia of street food, it just goes to show this amazing city has a lot up its sleeve.

DOING IT

LUZ is open daily from 4pm until midnight.

For further information and to make a reservation, visit https://www.melia.com/en/hotels/thailand/bangkok/innside-bangkok-sukhumvit/restaurants/luz-bangkok or call on +66 2 340 5499.

Wine on the Rocks: a popular festival returns

It's back. Sydney Cellar Door, a two-day celebration of wines from across New South Wales, returns this November.

 
November will mark the first-ever NSW Wine Month - which will be highlighted by the return of Sydney Cellar Door to be held on November 9-10.

Sydney Cellar Door will be held for the first time in almost a decade at Tallawolagah Lawn, outside the MCA in The Rocks.

The event will be run by NSW Wine in partnership with The Rocks precinct.

Sydney Cellar Door is designed as "the tentpole moment" of the debut NSW Wine Month in Sydney, which aims to be a celebration of the state’s best winemakers featuring tasting events, masterclasses and Sydney-wide venue promotions.

More information is available at www.sydneycellardoor.com

The complete NSW Wine program set to be unveiled in early October.

Sydney Cellar Door will showcase wines from 40 regional producers across 16 wine regions.

 
Philip Shaw and Ross Hill will be pouring wines from the cool-climate slopes of Orange, family-owned brands like Margan and Tyrrell’s will be representing the Hunter Valley while Lowe Family Wines and Robert Stein will be showcasing classic Mudgee drops.

 
The Sydney Cellar Door event will be free to attend, with guests able to purchase branded tasting glasses and tokens to sample their way through the different producers. There will be food trucks and live entertainment.

"The relaunch of Sydney Cellar Door in 2024 marks the revival of an important landmark event in Sydney’s wine culture, and one that we look forward to growing" said Mark Bourne, president, of NSW Wine.

"After 235 years since the first grapes were planted in Australia at Circular Quay, winemakers from across NSW are returning to showcase the diversity and quality of wines."

Darwin set to celebrate all things Italian

Darwin will have a distinct Italian accent over the next few days.

The Nave Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian naval vessel that has been called "most beautiful ship in the world", is currently on a world tour visiting 27 countries.

Darwin is the only Australian port of call with three days of Italian-themed festivities planned at a dockside village.

The training ship will arrive in Darwin on October 3, the 24th stop of a world tour that started from Genoa in July last year.

The tall ship of the Italian Navy (Marina Militare) is named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci and was launched in 1931. Her home port is La Spezia. 

The festivities will continue until October 7 and from Saturday to Monday it will be possible to board Nave Amerigo Vespucci to get an up-close look.

The historic sailing ship is an ambassador of Made in Italy. It's arrival will coincide with Villaggio Italia, a "Traveling World Exposition" showcasing Italian art, culture, music, food, cinema, technology, and scientific research.

The vessel is used to train the Italian Navy's officer cadets and is a school ship.

The opening ceremony of Villaggio Italia in Darwin will be held on Saturday, October 5, with many Italian dignatories in attendance.

Paratroopers from the Italian Army Sports Group will display Italian and Australian flags in the sky 8th Bersaglieri Regiment of the "Garibaldi" Bersaglieri Brigade will perform for all five days of the stopover, both at Villaggio Italia and around the city of Darwin.

"Nave Amerigo Vespucci's stop in Darwin represents not only a unique opportunity to promote Italian excellence, but also a symbolic moment to share a message of solidarity and inclusion," says Italian Minister of Defence Guido Crosetto.

Ship visits will be free and bookings can be made at https://tourvespucci.it/darwin-5-7-ottobre-2024/

Admission to Villaggio Italia is also free of charge.

LeBron spruiks a special-edition cognac

Meet the new limited-edition cognac that being promoted by veteran NBA star LeBron James.

Cognac house Hennessy has revealed a new collab with LeBron for a special design of its VS “Very Special” bottle.

The limited edition bottle design will be available globally this week, drinks business reports.

James called himself an “admirer of Hennessy and its iconic brand”, saying he has “always appreciated its commitment to basketball and how it celebrates the sport’s influence on and off the court.”

I hadn’t noticed myself but db reports that LMH-owned Hennessy has regularly aligned itself with the sport and its fans.

In October 2023, the brand extended its contract as the official spirit of the NBA.

To mark the renewal, the cognac maker released limited-edition bottles co-branded with the NBA and unveiled a series of basketball courts in recognisable settings worldwide, including a floating version on the River Thames in London.

Partnerships with basketball players help cognac houses raise their profile in North America, a market in which the category is struggling. In recent years cognac has seen sharp decline of sales in that market, which accounts for 40% of global sales.

And sales in the US are becoming evermore central to distillers’ export strategy, as China, the category’s biggest market, threatens has threatened imposing tariffs.

Both the bottle and gift box highlight an illustration of James in purple and orange. The Hennessy Bras Armé is reimagined on the limited- edition packaging, sporting a sleeve as a tribute to James and intertwined with his trademark crown.

The blend will remain the same.

Antoine Varlet, senior vice president, Hennessy US, said: “We are elated to officially welcome LeBron James to the Hennessy family after many years of mutual admiration and friendship. 

"LeBron is not just a basketball star, but someone who redefines boundaries in sport, style, culture and beyond.”

James loves his spirits. He is also an investor in Lobos 1707 Tequila. 

A spring festival in the southern vineyards of Tasmania

If you love cool-climate wines and have been meaning to escape to Tasmania for a few days then the weekend of November 1-3 might be the perfect opportunity. 

No fewer than 37 wine producers from the Derwent Valley, Coal River Valley and the Huon Valley/d'Entrecasteaux Channel are teaming up for Spring in the Vines, the fourth edition of a weekend of tastings and entertainment. 

They range from big names like Frogmore Creek, Pooley, Derwent Estate, Nocton and Bream Creek to tiny wineries like Yellow Point, Premaydena Hill, and Saltwater River Wines, perhaps making just 100 dozen cases off the beaten track. 

Spring in the Vines is presented by Wine South Tasmania who have teamed up with several top Hobart hotels and local wine tour guides to show off the wine trails across the south of the island state.

Tasmania is known for its pinot noir, chardonnay, sparkling wines and riesling, but there are also adventurous producers including Kate Hill Wines, who produce shiraz from the coldest and southernmost shiraz vineyard in the country. 

Plan your visit at https://www.winesouth.com.au/events

You can drive yourself, or join a chauffeured wine tour with The Derwent Experience, Ageing Barrel Tours, or Apple Isle Wine Tours. 

Hotels offering discounted rates of up to 15% for the weekend include The Tasman, Hadley’s Orient Hotel, The Old Woolstore and MACq 01. 

Sydney to welcome three venues in one overlooking Martin Place

The team behind Sydney's Shell House has unveiled plans for a new multi-venue space right in the centre of the CBD. 

The Point Group will open The International, above Martin Place, in November. 

The location will be Harry Seidler’s ‘Modernist Mushroom’ and the Seidler-designed tower within the heritage-listed MLC Centre. 

It will be home to The Wine Bar, The Grill (above) and The Panorama Bar.

Brett Robinson, owner and restaurateur behind the The Point Group, said: “We’re excited for The International to become the cultural cornerstone of this lively and engaged part of the city and we look forward to making our contribution to Martin Place. 

"Our approach will be simple: if it’s fun, delicious and exciting, it’s on the menu. Our team has had the opportunity to pull together this new project with total creative freedom and without limitations to define a new standard of big city dining. 

"The International is not just a restaurant; it will be a social and culinary destination where the only rule is that the food, the wine and the hand-crafted beverages must be delicious and of exceptional quality and the service dedicated, inspired and authentic.”

The Grill will be the fine dining venue, helmed by culinary director Joel Bickford. The blurb promises "best-in-class produce, seasonality and simplicity". 

“The Grill is going to be the ultimate place to celebrate those really special life moments - however we also want it to be a go-to for those seeking to enjoy the everyday pleasure of exceptional food and wine in a luxurious indoor outdoor dining room," says Bickford. 

The Wine Bar will be guided by executive chef Danny Corbett, whose menu will focus on small plates with inspiration from around the world. There will be a 60-seat courtyard restaurant, a 40-seat wine bar with a terrace overlooking bustling Martin Place, and a 60-seat circular dining room. 

The Panorama Bar will be located on the top floor of The International and will offer all-day dining and late-night drinking. 

Think cocktails and a "Champagne and Chablis" list. 

Check out the details at nternationalsydney.com.

Online surveys ask far too much

They are absolutely relentless. Question after question. 

A colleague pointed this out on social media a couple of days ago:

"So sick of being asked to do a survey - for every bloody thing/flight/restaurant/health care etc etc. I would like to be rewarded for my precious time."

A few minutes after I had read it, this landed in my email inbox:

"We recently delivered this parcel to you. X X X X. We’d appreciate a few minutes of your time to provide feedback on your experience. This helps us improve our delivery service to you so next time it will be even better."

They did not deliver a parcel to me. They delivered a card, which told me I had to pick up the parcel at my local post office. They can't even get the question right.

And another one from a hotel that values my custom so much that it cannot even get my name right:

"Thank you for staying with us at the X X X X. To give us a better understanding of your experience during your recent stay with us, we would appreciate if you could take a moment to complete our online survey, at your convenience. The length of the survey will not be more than 5 minutes."

Then they want me to click onto a link, which I had no intention of doing.

I get them from Telstra, I get them from credit card companies. They land all the time.

They want me to do their work for them without payment. At a time when people are busier than ever.  

If a hotel wants to know what I think they could do it the old way. The GM could greet guests at check-out and ask their opinion.

Amex could actually pay attention when I tell them that their card is less and less useful.

If you want me to waste my time for your benefit, offer to send a couple of bucks to charity in exchange. Or give me a discount next time I use your services.

Or would that be asking too much?

Airline bans passengers after seat reclining row

Yet another in-air argument over when/if to recline your seat when flying.

Some folk just slam their seats back the moment their plane is airborne. Others have the courtesy to wait until after the first meal service before reclining.

I get it. If seats recline then you are free to use that facility.

A Chinese couple disagreed and has been banned from flying Cathay Pacific after a woman said she was harassed by the couple sitting behind her after she reclined her seat, Travel Mole reports.

A post of the incident has gone viral on a Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu showing footage of the altercation.

The airline responded by banning the couple for their behaviour.

Cathay says it has a "strict zero-tolerance policy" towards threatening behaviour and harassment.

The incident happened on a London bound flight from Hong Kong earlier this month. .

The victim said she was subjected to derogatory comments and gestures.

Andaz hotel brand to debut in Australia

 

It has taken 17 years, but the Hyatt group has unveiled plans for its for first Andaz hotel in Australia.

The Andaz brand (meaning personal style in Hindi/Urdu) was launched in 2007 and Andaz Gold Coast will open in 2025 as part of The Star Gold Coast integrated resort.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into agreements with a Destination Gold Coast Consortium for an Andaz resort.

Destination Gold Coast Consortium is a joint venture between parent company,The Star Entertainment Group, and its two partners, Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises.

The Star Gold Coast is slated to open in mid-2025, marking the debut of the Andaz brand in Australia and the Pacific region.

“We are thrilled to announce plans to bring the Andaz brand to Australia's premier resort destination in collaboration with The Star Gold Coast,” said David Udell, group president, Asia Pacific, for Hyatt.

“Hyatt has had a brand presence in Australia for over 40 years, and we are excited to expand our luxury, lifestyle and leisure offerings into sought-after destinations like the Gold Coast. This resort will complement our current portfolio of 10 hotels under five distinct brands in Australia, including Park Hyatt, Grand Hyatt, Hyatt Regency, Hyatt Centric and Hyatt Place.”

I'm sure I am not alone in being unable to differentiate between those brands.

“We are delighted to welcome Andaz Gold Coast to our world-class tourism and entertainment precinct," said The Star Gold Coast general manager hotels Steven McPharlin.

"As part of The Star Gold Coast's AU$2 billion (approximately US$1.33 billion) masterplan, we are proud to continue our investment in this dynamic city while also providing new employment opportunities alongside vibrant hospitality experiences.”

With close to 30 global properties, including in gateway cities such as Tokyo, Singapore, New York and London, and resort destinations like Bali and Maui, the Andaz brand "celebrates and empowers self-expression through imaginative travel".

That's marketing speak. I have no idea what is actually means.

But "the ethos of sophisticated whimsy encourages guests to connect with their innermost curiosities and awaken to new experiences with a local twist". OK.

The Star Gold Coast is set on Broadbeach Island.

Occupying floors six to 21 of the 65-story second tower, the Andaz hotel will have 202 guest rooms and suites, a fitness centre and three food and beverage outlets.

“The Gold Coast is a world-renowned region, and it is energizing for the tourism industry to be welcoming a new international hotel brand to the region,” said Patricia O'Callaghan, Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive officer.

“More than four million Australians visited the Gold Coast last year and we are steadily working our way to recover international arrivals to one of Australia's best known and well-loved destinations.”

To learn more about Andaz hotels see www.andaz.com.

Barangaroo comes alive in October

Look out for a new gourmet happenings at Sydney's hip Barangaroo precinct.

Barangaroo will host the inaugural Festival of Food at The Streets of Barangaroo in October.

The new festival promises to showcase an array of culinary collaborations, immersive experiences, and lively entertainment, I am reliably informed by their operatives.

Some events will be free, others ticketed.

“The Streets of Barangaroo is recognised as one of Sydney’s go-to food and dining destinations," says head of asset management at Lendlease, Scott Meehan.

"The Festival of Food is designed to celebrate the best of what the precinct has to offer from leading cuisine to diverse culture and will be welcomed by our well-established community and visitors alike.”

Highlights include events hosted by chef Mitch Orr, a collab between Lotus Barangaroo, Born by Tapavino, and Oh Boo Chocolates and Smoke on the Water, a whisky tasting event at NOLA Smokehouse & Bar.

Spring In The Streets will see Barangaroo Avenue and surrounds become an open-air celebration of the end of the work week on Fridays 11, 18 and 25th of October.

Barangaroo Avenue will be closed to traffic and play host to a live music stage featuring a diverse line-up of local talent.

Bar Hop Barangaroo will see visitors invited to bop their way through Barangaroo’s array of bars and restaurants throughout October.

Located on Sydney’s waterfront, The Streets are home to a mix of over 90 food and beverage operators in food and beverage, lifestyle, fashion, wellness, and convenience.

For more info or to book tickets go to https://www.thestreetsofbarangaroo.com/news-and-events/festival-of-food/

Tasmanian wine gamble has paid big dividends

Cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith (above) are not averse to taking a risk or two. 

When they launched their first wine brand 35 years ago they opted to use sauvignon blanc as the headline act. 

At that time sauvignon blanc was virtually unknown in the southern hemisphere. 

The success of the Shaw + Smith brand has since paved the way for hundreds of Australian producers who followed in their footsteps and planted sauvignon blanc. 

Thirteen years ago, considering creating a brand in Tasmania, they chose the Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley, originally planted by some of the savviest operators in the wine business. 

The vineyard is on a gently sloping north-east site with soils that are light silica over sandstone: ideal for chardonnay and pinot noir.  

The only problem was that Tolpuddle had initially been planted with chardonnay and pinot noir clones best suited to sparkling wine production, not the premium table wines for which Tolpuddle has become well known.

"The 2023 vintage got us to a point where we are full planted - and everything in the ground is as we want it ," says Tolpuddle national sales manager Tom Donegan, who hosted a 2023 vintage release tasting in Hobart last week, along with Pip Anderson, who will run the Tolpuddle tasting room when it opens adjacent to the vineyard in November.

The 2023 vintage was the coldest on record, but winemaker Adam Wadewitz and his team have worked some magic. 

Both new releases reflect the work viticulturist Carlos Souris has been putting into the vineyard, including re-plants, grafts and extensions, while organic practices have been evolving over a decade or more.  

The 2023 Chardonnay has marvellous tension and bright acidity, along with impressive cool-climate balance, while the 2023 Pinot Noir walks a tightrope of fruit and savoury characters and finishes with delicacy and elegance. .

Both share intense, complex fruit flavours, vibrancy and minerality.  

Find out more at https://www.tolpuddlevineyard.com/ but be warned that stocks are getting low after only a couple of weeks of release. 

Understandably so. If you are very lucky you might still find some in retail land. 

Rousing send-off for quiet achiever

Pioneering winemaker Julie Mortlock has been given a rousing send off. 

Mortlock has just retired after 35 years with the De Bortoli family at Bilbul in the Riverina, and has been in charge of making Australia's premier dessert wine, Noble One, for many years. 

The De Bortoli team described the departure of their senior executive winemaker as a "a sad but very special day". 

"After 35 years Julie has made the decision to retire and leaves behind a wonderful legacy that the De Bortoli family is so very proud of," the company said.

"She will forever be known as a wonderful role model for women in wine, a multiple award winner, and a humble and hard-working employee of De Bortoli Wines."

Last Friday night Mortlock was honoured with the 'Riverina Legend Award' at the Rivernina Winemakers Wine Show Awards. 

Mortlock grew up on a dairy farm and had ambitions to be a chef. Instead her passion for science kicked in and for the next 10 years she became a self-confessed “dairy lab rat”, a qualified tester of cream and milk.

She later became a lab assistant in the quality control labs at De Bortoli.

Mortlock later started working as a winemaker’s assistant (“doing the jobs they didn’t want to do,” she says) and began studying, firstly for a Bachelor degree in Wine Science and then another in Wine Business, both from Charles Sturt University.

Mortlock began looking after all the white wines produced at Bilbul, then moved onto the reds and fortified wines. 

Are you being lied to when you choose a bottle of wine?

Do you ever take a look at a wine label to see what the level of alcohol is? 

If that bottle of wine comes from Australia. New Zealand or the US then there is every chance you are being deceived. 

At a time when people are increasingly concerned about facts pertinent to their health, all three countries allow a tolerance of up to 1.5% of alcohol by volume on wine labels. 

That means a wine labelled as being 13.5% might actually be 15% - and completely legal. 

Leading international wine communicator Robert Joseph recently described the anomaly as “either laughable or reprehensible or both.”

And similar tolerance - sometimes more - can cover tolerance of grape variety/region/vintage. 

“One might reasonably say that, when it comes to informing the public, the wine industry is taking the proverbial piss,” says straight-shooting Joseph on LinkedIn. 

Figures released by the American Association of Wine Economists pinpoint the three major offenders, but others are also guilty. 

In an era when technology is easily able to quantify alcohol levels, such tolerance appears out of step with consumer demands. 

But, of course, labelling has long been a contentious issue.

It is not so many years ago that many French wines were "bulked up", or even comprised large percentages of fruit sourced in North Africa - not that you would ever have known it from the labels. 

Dunedin celebrates resumption of international flights

Dunedin in New Zealand and Hobart in Tasmania have a lot in common.

Both are beautiful but remote locations - and both have international airports that do not currently offer international flights. 

Dunedin was celebrating this week, however, with the announcement of a new flight connection with Australia.

The new route between the city and Gold Coast was announced at Dunedin Airport.

Jetstar will operate three departures and three arrivals a week out of Dunedin from June 2025.

Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich says he's thrilled with the announcement.

“We've all been eager to see a regularly scheduled international service reinstated, ever since direct flights to Brisbane stopped in March 2020," he said.

Dunedin City Council buildings, St Paul's Cathedral and Tūhura Otago Museum were lit up in Jetstar orange to celebrate the news.

“While we'll be encouraging locals to travel across the ditch, we'll also focus our efforts on enticing Queenslanders to come here and experience the amazing attractions our city – and the lower South Island – have to offer,” Radich says.

Tickets for the Dunedin-Gold Coast route are on sale now.

Fermentation vocation: From wine and cider to vinegar and tonics

Dr Tim Jones, one of Australia's leading fermentation gurus, is attracting national attention for the artisan vinegars, syrups and tonics that he crafts in an old apple shed in Tasmania's Huon Valley.

His Wild Mother Tasmania brand was today was awarded a Champion Medal for its Raspberry Shrub (or drinking vinegar) in the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show.

Wild Mother won 10 medals all up; one champion, two gold, two sliver and five bronze. Every product Jones entered won a medal.

Wild Mother Tasmania products are curated at Ranelagh, just outside Huonville, just a short drive from Willie Smith's Cider, where Jones was previously chief cider maker and distiller.

Jones began his career as a scientist and has been nursery operations manager for Yalumba Wine Company in the Barossa Valley, cider maker at Hobart’s Cascade Brewery and then in 2014 he joined Willie Smith’s, where he spent six years developing award-winning ciders from heirloom organic English and French cider apple varieties.

Now his passions are quality food, using local ingredients and minimising waste. At Wild
Mother Tasmania he is fulfilling all three with his creations.

"We want to create honest products that are connected to earth with complexity in their flavour profiles and genuine health properties," he says. 

"We do that by making the effort to go out to collect the fruit and bottle it within a day or two of being picked. Everything we do, whether it be wellness, condiments or beverages, stems from minimal input, production of delicious product, made from local ingredients.

“We are proud to be part of the Tasmanian artisan community who continue to punch above their weight on the national stage. 

"These show results, so early in the life of our business, help to cement that reputation.”

Wild Mother Tasmania makes tonics and barrel-aged condiments from quality cool-climate fruits it sources locally.

The champion Raspberry Shrub is a zero-alcohol aperitif syrup, while gold medal Black Cherry Vincotto vinegar is a sticky condiment made from fresh black cherries.

“Having worked in alcohol I was inspired to move to something more genuinely nourishing that improves people’s health and wellness," Jones says.

"Our vinegars are unfiltered and unpasteurised, no colouring, preservatives or imported concentrates are added, and they are bottled without dilution. This simple approach maintains the flavour profiles, and health-giving properties of the fruit.”

An essential element of the business is repurposing food destined for the waste stream and transforming it into premium quality product.

"Hundreds of tonnes of high-quality, cool-climate Tasmanian fruit goes to waste each year because of some type of ‘imperfection or its distance from market,” Jones says.

“We are passionate about reducing food waste and have structured our business to utilize this fruit wherever we can. Being based in the heart of the Huon Valley, where everything is so close, means we can process apples, cherries and berries when they are super fresh, shortly after being picked and graded.

"This way we maximise the health benefits and flavours while contributing to a circular economy.”

See www.wildmother.com.au

Image: Nat Mendham