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.” 

Tourism Authority of Thailand ups its tech game

With tourism in Asia increasingly competitive, the Tourism Authority of Thailand has relaunched an updated ‘Amazing Thailand’ app. 

The new version integrates AI technology and secure payment solutions, offering a "worry-free travel experience", TAT says.

The Amazing Thailand app now features tools for every stage of a travel experience including planning, booking and making secure payments.

An AI-powered chatbot (oh no!) aims to make real-time recommendations based on prompts and user preferences.

The app suggests suitable itineraries, places to stay, dining, activities, plus traveller safety tips, local newspaper The Nation reports.

The newest version of the Amazing Thailand app can be downloaded from March 15, 2026.

Kittipong Praphathong, deputy governor for Digital, Research, and Development at TAT, said the new app is a key step in developing Thailand’s national digital tourism platform. 

It strengthens the country's global tourism competitiveness and supports local businesses with sustainable economic opportunities.

Someone will buy wine; win a trip to Antarctica

 Sustainability-driven wine brand Tread Softly is just a few bottles away from planting its three-
millionth tree and to celebrate the milestone it has launched a competition that offers the chance to win a trip to Antarctica. 

The giveaway offers Australians and New Zealanders the chance to win the rare prize. 

Antarctica Awaits will send one lucky winner and a guest to explore the world’s last great wilderness - the icy expanse of Antarctica - aboard a National Geographic expedition cruise.

The 10-day adventure begins in Ushuaia, Argentina, where the winners will prepare for their voyage before boarding the National Geographic Explorer. 

On a trip led by naturalists, biologists, and geologists, guests will experience Drake Passage, hike glaciers, kayak among icebergs, and possibly witness an abundance of wildlife - from humpback whales and orcas to Adélie penguins.

The trip includes return flights, four-star accommodation in both Ushuaia (Argentina) and Puerto Natales (Chile), an eight-day cruise aboard the National Geographic Explorer in a twin cabin that is valued at over $18,000 per person with meals and activities included, as well as $500 spending money, merchandise and Tread Softly wine.

Wendy Rend, brand partnership lead at Australian Geographic says: “It has been a pleasure to partner with Tread Softly and highlight their inspiring work through the Antarctica Awaits experience. It’s always uplifting to see brand’s values carried through so clearly in what they do.”

Since 2019, Tread Softly has planted one Australian native tree for every six bottles of wine sold, contributing to the growth of the Tread Softly Forest within Western Australia’s Yarra Yarra
biodiversity corridor. 

The initiative helps reduce the brand’s carbon footprint. 

The Antarctica Awaits promotion runs until January 31, 2026. For a chance to win purchase a bottle of Tread Softly from Dan Murphy’s, BWS or independent retailers before scanning the QR code on the pack or visiting www.treadtoantarctica.com. 

From the SCG to Paris or Milan

What sports fan would not love the chance to attend a Paris St Germain or Inter Milan home game?

As the Official International Airline Partner of the Sydney Swans, Qatar Airways is bringing Sydney Swans fans, and sports enthusiasts in general, the opportunity to chance to sit in the grandstands of Europe’s most iconic stadiums.

One lucky competition winner and their guest will be whisked away on an unforgettable journey, travelling in Business Class with Qatar Airways to Europe.

Once there, they’ll take their place in the VIP section at either a Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Milan home match, enjoying premium seating and three nights’ accommodation.

As part of the trip, the winners will also indulge in a two-night luxury stopover in Doha, soaking up the sights, culture, and hospitality of Qatar before returning home.

Fans simply need to complete the official competition entry form and verify their email.

From there, all that’s left to do is keep an eye on their inbox, because their next stop could be Europe. Entries are open until Friday, October 3.

“This partnership celebrates passion for sport on a global scale,” said Tom Harley, CEO of the Sydney Swans.

“From cheering at the SCG to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fans in Paris or Milan, we’re taking the love of sport to new heights.”

Qatar Airways’ Justin Kestel, regional manager for Australian and New Zealand said: “We’re proud to connect Sydney Swans fans with world-class football experiences, delivering our award-winning service along the way.”

For more information and full terms and conditions of entry, click here.

How buying a bottle of wine might win you $10,000

One of Australia's most popular wine brands is to punt on a new game of chance.   

Yalumba wine brand Y Series is to give shoppers the chance to win $10,000 in a competition running from September to December 2025 across Australia and New Zealand.

The Y Series $10K Your Way campaign will have a first prize of three $10,000 grand prizes in cash or travel vouchers to three winners across the two countries. 

There will also be secondary Instant Win prizes including 100 x $100 Ticketek gift cards.

Established in 2002 by the Hill-Smith family, Y Series is a best-selling range. 

Y Series was created "to make great wine minus the fuss - just easy-going, flavour-packed wines for any occasion," the family says. 

Eligible Y Series products - including the Australian best-seller Y Series Pinot Grigio - will be in store from September 1 through to December 31. 

The competition will be activated in-store, online, through social media, and in retail media.

You can find Y Series wines in major retailers including Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland, and in independent retailers including Bottlemart, Thirsty Camel and Sip’n Save. 

Food coma? Marketing frenzy capped by a morbid prize

The fast food business is hugely competitive in Australia. Which leads to some great deals - and some weird ones as well.

Market leader McDonalds bombards customers with special offer emails several times a week. A $4 Big Mac one day; a $6 cheeseburger meal and an extra cheeseburger the next. 

Hungry Jack’s is giving away toys with kid’s meals. 

One of this week's offers from taco emporium Mad Mex is a bit grim. It has a competition offering the chance to own your own burial plot in a cemetery.

In bad taste? Maybe. Attention grabbing? Certainly.

Mad Mex is announcing the return of its infamous 1kg Big Burrito and has partnered with "cult" water brand, Liquid Death to bring customers a combo "that promises to kill their hunger and murder their thirst".

Here is the spiel: "The double-sized burrito come with a free Liquid Death and it also comes with a warning that will scare even the most daring burrito lovers.

"Anyone brave enough to take on the challenge will go in the running to win a grand prize to die for - a foot (and body) in the door of the Australian property market... a place to set up roots... prime real estate in the dead centre of town...

"Yep, your own personal plot of land. In a cemetery."

Mad Mex is also running a less gruesome Buy One Get One Free deal on DoorDash until June 23.

The Big Burrito and Liquid Death combo will be available across Mad Mex stores nationally or via delivery from Uber Eats or the Mad Mex app until July 21. See madmex.com.au/bigburrito.



Less crazy is a new breakfast range (above) being launched by Soul Origin from tomorrow.

To mark the arrival of dishes like the Gourmet Brekkie Bun, a Schnitty Brekkie Bun and a Haloumi and Veggie Brekkie Wrap comes the offer of free coffees to all its loyalty members.

The free caffeine boost is available to all loyalty members from June 17-30 with any item from the new breakfast range.

A voucher will automatically be loaded into loyalty accounts. See https://www.soulorigin.com.au/

Farewell to a one-time heavyweight charge card

Once upon a time there was a fourth global heavyweight credit/charge card.

There was Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club.

I had a Diners Club card for years. It had a certain caché, like an Amex Platinum card.

But Diners failed to keep pace with changing markets and became accepted in fewer and fewer shops and hotels.

I probably gave mine up 25 years ago,

Diners Club this week announced it is exiting the Australian market after almost 70 years.

A statement on the brand’s website says: “As of 15 April 2024, Diners Club will no longer offer Diners Club Business Cards issued in Australia.”

Full details at https://dinersclub.com.au/corporate.htm

It will continue to operate in other markets.

Members with Diners Club Rewards will have until July 30 to redeem or transfer their rewards balance, after which any unclaimed points will be forfeited, the website says.

Buy a pineapple: save $100 on a holiday

There are plenty of weird and wonderful travel promotions, but a new one from Sunshine Coast Tourism is particularly fruity. 

For less than the price of a cup of coffee, potential holidaymakers can earn $100 towards their next Sunshine Coast holiday - by buying a pineapple.

Visit Sunshine Coast has partnered with one of Australia's largest pineapple producers - Sunshine Coast-based Pure Gold Pineapples - to roll out a "juicy" winter promotion from June 1-24.

Anyone who buys a Pure Gold Pineapple - which are available from Woolworths and Coles - and enters a competition during that time period can claim $100 dollars to put towards their next Sunshine Coast escape booked through My Queensland.

From there entrants will also go in the running to win a $10,000 My Queensland Sunshine Coast holiday.

Of course, that means they have all your contact details.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the campaign was a nice way to make chilly winter months a little bit sweeter, while celebrating a Sunshine Coast icon.

“Since the Big Pineapple first opened in 1971 pineapples have been a symbol of the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“For many eating a pineapple conjures up images of warm beach days and tropical escapes, and that's what we're all about here – even in winter.

“The winter months are the perfect time to plan a Sunshine Coast holiday, from swimming with whales to a calendar of epic events, it's a great time to visit the Coast."

The Sunshine Coast is Australia's largest pineapple growing region, and Pure Gold Pineapples supply 40% of the tropical fruit available for purchase in Australia.

The winner of the $10,000 My Queensland Sunshine Coast escape will be drawn on June 27 - which is International Pineapple Day (how hilarious).

To find out more go to visitsunshinecoast.com/win-10k-sunshine-coast-holiday.

How to win a dream wine holiday in Tasmania

How would you like to win a wine-lovers dream trip to Tasmania? 

Lovers of Tasmania and its wines are being invited to enter a new competition, launched this week by Wine Tasmania. 

Billed as the Ultimate Tasmanian Wine Odyssey, the competition will see two lucky winners will travel to the island state for a journey through the north, south and east coast wine trails. 

Wine Tasmania has developed this competition in partnership with some of Tasmania’s top wine producers and venues, offering several experiences not usually available to the public.

The full prize package for two people (valued at over $6,500) includes an airline and car hire voucher or a Spirit of Tasmania voucher as well as: 

• Accommodation voucher
• Guided tasting with take-home wine at Glaetzer Dixon Family Winemakers
• A guided tasting, lunch by Hubert & Dan with museum wines, and take-home wine at Tamar Ridge 
• Lunch with a guided tasting and two bottles of limited release take-home wine at Devil’s Corner (below)
• A 20-year retrospective museum wine tasting & grazing platter at Marion’s Vineyard
• Dinner and guided wine tasting at Havilah, including wines from Two Tonne Tasmania
• A guided exploration of chocolate, cheese & sparkling wine at Clover Hill (top)
• Chocolate and wine pairing at Bangor Vineyard Shed
• Tour de Terroir vineyard tour at The Ridge North Lilydale
• A Posh Day Out at MONA, including a private Moorilla tour, guided wine tasting, restaurant lunch with matched Moorilla wines, Posh Pit return ferry tickets from Hobart, museum entry and take-home wine
• Wine and a deluxe banquet for two at Timbre Kitchen
• Three courses with wine at The Gorge Restaurant
• Take-home Negroni from Taylor & Smith Distilling

Wine adventurers can enter the competition by submitting their details at Wine Tasmania’s website:  www.winetasmania.com.au/take-me-to-tassie. 

Entries close on March 14, and the winners will be announced the following day.

Get vaccinated and win a very special hotel prize

Marriott International has swung behind attempts to get recalcitrant members of the public to vaccinate against Covid-19. 

Marriott is offering fully vaccinated Australians the chance to win a stay in each of the 28 Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resorts across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

Marriott aims to help the travel industry's recovery through a competition that travellers will not want to miss.

Sean Hunt, Marriott International vice president for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, said: “It's vital that we support and incentivise Australians to get vaccinated so we can all start travelling again as soon as it is safe to do so. 

"In line with the Federal and State Government national vaccination rollout, Marriott's vaccine incentive program is designed to stimulate economic recovery for our industry. As we head into the Christmas holidays, we want Australian's to be able to travel to see family and experience travel across our nation again.”

Marriott is offering Australians who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, the chance to go in the running to win one of five Marriott Bonvoy packages, a one-night stay at each of participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels and resort in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and New Caledonia. 

Five winners will get the chance to experience them all once borders open.

“Marriott has also undertaken a suite of measures and incentives to support our Associates during the pandemic, including priority access to vaccinations and scheduling flexibility to allow our staff to be vaccinated along with providing financial support and vaccination funding in Fiji and Samoa, to ensure our workforce is cared for and ready to return to work,” Hunt said. 

Anyone who has been vaccinated can enter. In 25 words or less they must tell Marriott what travelling means to them, sign up to the Marriott Bonvoy program and upload a Covid-19 certificate. 

Prize winners will have access to the portfolio of Marriott International brands across the ANZPAC region, including the Classic Luxury hotels operating under The Ritz Carlton, W Hotels and JW Marriott; the premium brand range of Sheraton, Marriott and Westin, along with select properties including Courtyard by Marriott and Four Points and Australia's first Luxury Collection property, The Tasman, due to open in Hobart in December.

Entry details are available here www.marriottvaccinepassport.com.au/

Enjoy some wine; have a crack at winning a farm stay

 

The Farm Hand Shiraz is a very nice young red wine; soft and smooth with plenty of flavour. 

It ticks all the hipster boxes being organic, vegan-friendly and made using minimal preservatives. 

Crafted from fruit grown in the Monash Valley region of South Australia's Riverland by the Grigoriou family, fourth-generation grape growers, it can often be found on sale for under $15 a bottle; which makes it a terrific midweek drinking choice.

It is distributed by Fourth Wave Wines, a group known for offering great value. 

Right now, however, there is another reason for buying a bottle or two; the chance to win one of six luxury farm stays around Australia.

There are six packages of two nights' accommodation on offer with breakfast and meals included, a Farm Hand drinks package and local experiences. 

The winners will be able to select from a range of participating farm stays, so the trip can be as luxurious or immersive as you like.

There are also 14 luxe eco hampers worth $150 each on offer, as well as 14 Farm Hand gift packs of two bottles of wine.

Download details using the QR Code on bottle tags, or check out  https://farmstaywithfarmhand.com/