Australia's smallest grape vintage for 25 years

Australia’s 2026 wine grape crush fell to 1.27 million tonnes - its smallest since 2000 - but the reduced national crop did not result in stronger grape prices, Wine Australia’s National Vintage Report 2026 reveals.

Released today. the report says the national crush is estimated to be 1.27 million tonnes, down 300,000 tonnes (19%) from the 2025 crush and 25% below its 10-year average of 1.69 million tonnes. 

This equates to around 33 million fewer 9-litre cases of wine - not necessarily disturbing at a time when demand is reduced. 

Wine Australia manager for market insights, Peter Bailey, said that this year’s crush reflected both seasonal pressures and a broader response to changed consumer demand.

“A number of significant seasonal challenges, including flooding in the inland regions, had an impact on production, but the main driver of this lower crush is a deliberate adjustment in response to changing market conditions,” Bailey said.

“There have now been four vintages in a row below the long-term average, suggesting an underlying reset in the tonnage of grapes required by winemakers to meet changing global demand.”

Overall, the 2026 crush was 306,334 tonnes smaller than 2025, with red varieties accounting for 80% of the decrease. 

The crush of white grapes declined by a more modest 62,774 tonnes (9%) resulting in a big jump in white’s share of the total crush - up six percentage points to 53%. 

This is only the second time in the past 12 years that whites have accounted for the majority of the crush.

Mr Bailey said this shift was likely a reflection of changing global consumer preferences toward white wine.

Bailey noted that the drop in average values across the board had occurred despite the very low crush size, which is expected to take pressure off wine stocks.

“There has been no improvement in grape prices, which suggests that demand is still very soft,” he said. “It’s concerning that there is no sign of recovery for reds despite such a significant adjustment, and that prices for whites are also now declining.”

The National Vintage Report is available on Wine Australia’s website. 

Coincidentally, Wine Tasmania today released its 2026 vintage report with Tasmanian producers celebrating "exceptional quality, intense flavours and vibrant freshness" despite facing one of the lowest-yielding and most challenging growing seasons on record.

Following a record-breaking 23,002 tonnes in 2025, the 2026 vintage will be remembered for its scarcity at just 11,163 tonnes, roughly equating to around 10 million bottles.

A historically cold, dry and brutally windy spring severely impacted flowering and fruit set across the island, dramatically reducing bunch weights and overall yields, with some growers reporting yields of 50% below last year.

Sheralee Davies, CEO of Wine Tasmania, praised the resilience and skill of the island’s grape growers and winemakers who navigated the season’s demanding conditions.

“If 2025 was a year of abundance, 2026 is a vintage of absolute concentration and character - for both our grapes and growers,” Davies said. “Nature threw everything it had at the island this season - from late spring frosts and unrelenting winds to a cool, drawn-out summer which delayed harvest by up to 3-4 four weeks in some areas.”

Reflecting the focus on quality not quantity, Tasmania’s 2026 wine grape harvest represented just 0.9% of the country’s total by volume, but 5.0% of the national value.

Book early for Japan, or risk missing out, tour operator advises

Planning to visit tourism magnet Japan in 2026? 

One major travel operator is urging early bookings to avoid the possibility of missing out.

With demand still surging and some departures already full, travellers looking to walk or cycle in Japan in 2026 are being urged to act fast, says World Expeditions..

World Expeditions, a pioneer in active holidays, as launched a special January sale on 15 holidays across Japan - with discounts only available until the end of the month.

The vacation options include walking heritage trails, cultural immersions and supported cycling holidays.

“As the active travel specialists in Japan, we’ve designed our itineraries to suit every style of traveller - from guided cultural walks to independent hikes and multi-day bike tours,” said Sue Badyari, CEO of World Expeditions.

“Some April and May trips have already sold out, and others are nearing capacity. With limited group sizes and strong early interest, this is absolutely the time to book.”

You can check out the trips here: worldexpeditions.com

Thailand postpones introduction of tourism tax

Thailand has once again pushed back the introduction of its tax on tourists arriving in the country.

The new fee will now be imposed from mid 2026, local media reported.

The tourist fee was first approved in 2023 at THB 300 ($14).

Assistant Tourism Minister Chakrapol Tangsutthitham has confirmed that it would be shelved due to current market conditions.

Thailand tourism arrivals are currently down about 5%.

“We are delaying implementation until tourism demand rebounds,” the minister said.

The long-planned fee is locally referred to as the Kha Yeap Pan Din (literally, “stepping onto Thai soil” fee).

Chakrapol said the decision was made following a review by Minister Sorawong Thienthong.

“We must wait to assess international tourist demand during the upcoming high season in Q4 this year,” Chakrapol explained, saying the ministry needs more time to study the details and determine an appropriate fee structure based on the mode of travel - land, sea, rail, or air.

The revenue generated will be used to enhance tourist sites and fund insurance coverage for foreign visitors.

Image: Koh Samui

Unprecedented demand for small ship cruises to Japan

Following "unprecedented demand" for its 2026 sailings in Japan on board its newest ship, Star Seeker, small ship luxury cruise line Windstar Cruises has opened up its 2027 Japan itineraries for booking earlier than planned. 

The cruise line has also added an extra 2026 sailing date.

“Just months after announcing our 2026 plans in Japan, we’re nearly sold out,” says Windstar Cruises’ Chief Commercial Officer Janet Bava.

“The combination of our return to Asia for the first time since 2023, along with the anticipation of a new ship and the fact that Japan is now one of the world’s most-visited countries, has created an excitement for this region that we have not seen before.”

Star Seeker will cross the Pacific from Alaska to Japan in early September of 2026, where Windstar will bring back its popular 10-night Grand Japan itinerary on five dates through October. 

The spring 2027 sailings will take place on seven dates from March through May.

Grand Japan highlights include scenic cruising the Inland Sea; sailing around the abandoned island of Hashima; visiting the Peace Memorial Parks of Nagasaki and Hiroshima; and calling on smaller ports like Takamatsu (famous for its gardens and udon) and Karatsu.

Cruisers can also extend their stay with the Kyoto & the Zen of Japan Cruise Tour, featuring inland tours to Kyoto where guests can bathe in hot springs, experience a traditional tea ceremony, and visit the Golden Pavilion.

The 2027 spring dates also offer the potential to experience Japan’s famed cherry blossoms, and Star Seeker’s accommodations are poised for ample spring season sightseeing as most have balconies and infinity windows.

Windstar's early booking offer includes a free upgrade to All-Inclusive Fares (valued at US$99 per day or $157 per day),which bundle in wifi, gratuities and unlimited select beer, wine and cocktails, plus $200 onboard credit per stateroom.

The offer expires February 28, 2025.

To find out more call Windstar Australia on 1300 749 875 or email reservations@windstar.com.au.

Bread and circuses: Tasmania wants to host the Commonwealth Games

I will try to report this with a straight face.

Hobart and Launceston want to host or co-host the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Tasmania does not have one single venue capable of holding 20,000 people. The main indoor arena in the state holds fewer than 5,000 people.

The state's infrastructure is groaning; hospitals and ambulances are under pressure, there are not enough police and no international flights. .

As someone who has covered several Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games dating back to Brisbane in 1982 I'm happy to declare this plan as crazy.

Here is a nod and a wink from Matilda (above). At best, Tasmania could perhaps host a couple of sports, maybe lawn bowls, badminton, or road cycling.

I'm pretty sure Premier Peter Gutwein and his team have no idea of the infrastructure needed to put on an event like the Commonwealth Games, which will attract athletes and officials from up to 72 nations.

Over 5,000 athletes compete at the Commonwealth Games in around 15 different sports and more than 250 events. Plus officials, plus media, plus spectators from around the globe.

Where would they all stay in Tasmania? In tents beside the River Derwent, perhaps?

Birmingham in England was the 2026 host, but was then awarded the 2022 Games after Durban in South Africa was stripped of the rights because of glacial infrastructure progress.

The reasons for Gutwein and Sports Minister Jane Howlett putting their hands up to be noticed are many. But mainly just to be noticed.

Commonwealth Games host cities saw an increase in tourism by up to 25% four years after hosting the games, a recent report found. That is a bonus.

But the Games don't come cheap, and the cost of staging them would be in the hundreds of millions.

Tasmania would need federal money to help construct suitable venues - and four years is simply not enough time.

Gutwein said today he had written to the chief executive of Commonwealth Games Australia, Craig Phillips, formally requesting that Tasmania be given consideration as a host for the event.

Sports Minister Howlett said the state was ready to make the most of the opportunity.

"Our government is committed to delivering more elite sporting content for Tasmanians to enjoy - and importantly, provide pathways for local sportsmen, women and children," she said.

Howlett said the state government would even consider Tasmania co-hosting the event.

"We are confident that we can work collaboratively with Commonwealth Games Australia on the opportunities Tasmania presents as either a host or co-host," she said.

Tasmania has recently pushed for entry into the AFL and the A-League, but lacks suitable stadia. So co-hosting a couple of events is the most Tasmania could hope for.

Australia last hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018 on the Gold Coast.