Canned cool? Wine in a can taking off in Australia

Wine in a can is gaining serious momentum for drinking in Australia this summer. 

When leading producers like Scarborough Wine Co. in the Hunter Valley and Turkey Flat in the Barossa throw their weight behind canned wine, then you know the trend is real. 

"We're seeing consumers change their consumption behaviour, often looking for smaller serving formats to cater to different occasions (outdoors, entertaining, parties), for convenience and noting that younger consumers are blending beverages, so this could be an option to bring them into the category," say the team at Scarborough. 

"Made from the same quality wines in the Offshoot range, these cans are designed for life on the go."

The Scarborough flavours include a White Spritz Vermentino, Rosé Spritz Pinot Noir, Light White Chardonnay and Light Red Tempranillo Joven.

"We know that this format won't be for everyone, but it's great to see it being more widely embraced, with more quality options hitting the market. There's still a role for the 750ml bottles, but we need to test and trial new opportunities for specific occasions."

Scarborough and Turkey Flat both tout the convenience of wine in can for picnics, hiking, camping trips, and outdoor concerts, pointing out that cans chill faster than bottles and are easy to grab and go. 

Cans are also more sustainable and eco friendly than glass: lightweight, recyclable, with a smaller carbon footprint than glass bottles. 

Meanwhile, Turkey Flat says: "Following on from the huge success of the launch of our outstanding rosé in cans earlier this year, we have now added to the family with an Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris and a Barossa Shiraz Grenache. 

"Again, we took the high road and made sure the wines were of a high quality; we actually want the category to work for everyone, so [there is] no point putting a lesser quality wine in the can.

"They still tick all the boxes of convenience, sustainability and ease of recycling."

I've tried the rosé and it is excellent.

Revamp lifts airport hotel to new heights

Staying at an airport hotel can take a leap of faith.

We've all likely trekked in the rain while pulling heavy suitcases to a hotel located in a remote part of an airport precinct, or waited a very long time for a "regular" shuttle bus to arrive and then take its sweet time stopping at various locations before dropping you at a hotel that is 5-10km away from the actual airport.

The newly refurbed Parkroyal Airport Melbourne is a glorious exception; located directly opposite the terminals and accessed via covered pedestrian walkways that protect you from Melbourne's notorious weather.

This is a welcoming hotel, too, with a lively vibe and impressive facilities.

 

The refurb has resulted in a lighter colour palette, more greenery and bedrooms that are very up to date with plenty of easily accessible power points and USB slots so you can make sure all your gear is fully charged before you fly.

Many of the rooms have direct runway views - ask for one if you are keen on watching aircraft take off and land. There are Nespresso machines, too, and a range of TV and movie options. 

On-site amenities, including modern Australian restaurant Airo (more in a moment) , a 24-hour gym, a heated indoor lap pool, spa, sauna and steam room.

The refurbishment, which I'm assured was badly needed, spans all 276 guest rooms, the lobby, restaurant, café, and bar, as well as the hotel’s meeting and events floor - which includes a business centre with computers.

The guest rooms, with a range of family rooms on offer, have been lifted by decorations inspired by Australian lifestyles and nature. The corridors are long, so ask for one near the lifts if you have mobility issues.

The new-look lobby is bright and airy and reception is manned 24 hours - ideal for late arrivals or for anyone whose evening flight is cancelled.

Airo Restaurant is adjacent to Airo Café and Airo Bar, where several guests were chilling out when I stayed earlier this month.

Great news, too, for any whose flight is delayed for several hours: the Parkroyal Melbourne Airport offers the chance to purchase a Day Pass; meaning they can swap hanging around the airport for resting in a guest room, relaxing in the spa, or enjoying a meal at Airo. 

It's an unsurprisingly popular option for those experiencing flight delays or stop-overs.

There is also the chance for those without lounge access at the airport to use the hotel's Bar Airo lounge, and stay connected with free wifi, or use leisure facilities including the pool, gym, spa and sauna. Inclusive of showering and changing facilities for just $25.



I'm not usually a huge fan of hotel dining but the staff at Airo were particularly welcoming and all three courses I sampled were impressive: from colourful and tasty Australian baby Bay Lobster with lumpfish caviar, millet, crustacean rouille, radish and lobster oil to perfectly cook Black Angus Beef eye fillet with Otway Dutch Cream pommes puree, baby broccolini, cipollini onion, red wine jus.

Dessert was Madagascar vanilla panna cotta with Tasmanian Elderberry essence, sparkling pressed pineapple, pistachio.

The wine list is adequate without frightening the horses.

There is a 24-hour room service on offer should you arrive at some ungodly hour.    

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay - and loved the convenience of this Pan Pacific property.

Guests who book before August 15 can take advantage of savings of up to 25% on flexible rates for stays until December 30.

Full details here: https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-melbourne-airport.html

* The writer was a guest of Parkroyal Melbourne Airport 

Hotel day passes a boon for anyone delayed at Melbourne Airport

There is nothing worse than a long layover – or delay – at an airport.

And such inconveniences are becoming increasingly frequent.

Should you find yourself needing a place to relax for a few hours while in transit, PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport now offers a convenient day pass.

Guests who buy the day pass can check into a comfortable, refurbished room for a nap, pop on a robe or catch a movie while enjoying the in-room dining service, burn some energy in the gym, cool off in the indoor pool, or chill out in the spa, sauna, or steam room.

Day passes will be available to book online or by calling the hotel directly from January.

A 3-hour pass is $109, a 5-hour pass is $119, and an 8-hour pass is $149.

For those looking for a pre- or post-trip place to lay their head, PARKROYAL Melbourne is the only hotel directly connected to the domestic and international terminals via a pedestrian skybridge.

“There’s nothing like starting your holiday a little early with a relaxing pre-flight stay,” said Cameron Mead, the hotel's general manager.

“By taking an extra day to let go of the hassles of work, school and everyday life, you can get into getaway mode before you get on board, and we cannot wait to share our vibrant, contemporary new accommodation with guests over the forthcoming peak travel period.”

The hotel has 276 guest rooms in various configurations. 

See https://www.panpacific.com/en/hotels-and-resorts/pr-melbourne-airport.html

Uber-cool canned cocktails are world leaders

A small Melbourne company that only launched four years ago has emerged as a global leader in the fast-growing premium cocktail-in-can space.

You'll find Curatif cocktails being served on Qantas flights, and exports are about to begin to both the US and UK following the company's second straight win as top RTD producer at the the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London.

Curatif's success is built on three core pillars: quality, convenience and sustainability, says brand founder Matt Sanger in an interview with GoTR.

I enjoyed chatting to Matt, who has boundless enthusiasm and a focus on "quality, convenience and sustainability".

Curatif boomed during the Covid era, when drinkers wanted to consume quality beverages at home, rather than in cocktail bars, and has benefitted from what Sanger describes as "the MasterChef effect" - with people looking to enjoy gourmet dishes and premium beverages at home.

"A lot of people stopped drinking vodka and Red Bull and turned instead to Espresso Martinis," Sanger says. "They discovered cocktail bar-quality drinks - using amazing ingredients - can come in a can.

"Mindful consumption is a very big trend around the globe - and many folk are looking to drink less, but higher quality."

I must admit I was a little sceptical about the quality of cocktails in a can, but I am working my way though several in the range and have really enjoyed both the fresh, vibrant and refreshing Curatif Cosmopolitan and the tangy and seriously chilli-flavoured Curatif Spicy Margarita.



It seems that sparkling alcoholic seltzers and cocktails in a can are very much on the upswing: and so easy for social gatherings.

Curatif has aligned with well-known Australian distillers like Archie Rose and Never Never Distilling Co., as well as with premium Australian imported brands like Appleton Estate Rum, and bars like Savile Row, to produce its bespoke cocktails in a can.

Sanger says: “The broader RTD category is an animal that is capable of staggering growth - look at what happened with seltzers. 

"More importantly, RTD is a pillar of the broader alcobev segment…the most incredible cocktails of the world’s best bars are now only as far away as opening the fridge door, and as portable as the cans we send them out in.

“The ready-to-drink category has changed a lot," Sanger adds. “What I’m loving is this movement away from bag-in-a-box flavour components and into both natural and native ingredients.”

The IWSC judges were impressed by Curatif’s Bar Bambi Amaretto Sour, Black Pearl Toreador, Jacoby's Trader Vic's Mai Tai, Never Never Distilling Co Negroni, Plantation Hurricane, Ron Colón Corn & Oil, Rum Old Fashioned and Spicy Margarita.

They were particularly high on the gold-medal-winning Archie Rose Espresso Martini.

“If the IWSC is our industry’s version of the Oscars, then brands like Curatif, Four Pillars and Grainshaker are Australia’s own Hemsworth, Kidman and Jackman," says go-getter Sanger, who is planning an expansion of his Port Melbourne distillery to cope with growing demand.

He points out that cans are more easily recyclable than other containers, and are also lighter in weight. There is a lot of science, too, in making sure the contents of each can has a long lifespan.

"We are committed to being the best corporate citizen we can be," Sanger says. "And by using only the finest spirits and liqueurs from the world, we are ensuring our drinks are made with integrity.

"We are a brand that provides customers with the highest quality ingredients, blended to perfection without preservatives."

Curatif ready-to-serve can cocktails can be purchased at major retailers and independent liquor stores nationally for an RRP of $49.00 for a four pack. Seasonal drinks are on the way, including a Pina Colada for summer.

For full details visit www.curatif.com, where discounts are available to subscribers.

Meet the drink vending machine that offers more choice - and helps the environment

Ever wished you could craft your own drink - and help save the planet from single-use plastic bottles?

Meet Refilled, a Sydney-based start-up that hopes to eventually end the sale of beverages sold in single-use plastic bottles in vending machines.

Starting at sites including Google HQ Sydney, UTS and the University of Sydney, its Refillers are plastic-free vending machine that can be used by anyone with a reusable bottle.

The company hopes to install 100 units around Australia by 2024, aiming to capitalise on the trend of reusable bottles and by giving people more flavour variety and nutritional options than just plain water on tap.

The Refillers are described as "a cross between a fridge and a giant soda stream" and offer chilled still and sparkling drinks in a range of flavours with the ability to add optional boosters such as caffeine, vitamins, and nootropics.

The founders say over 891 billion single-use plastic bottles are produced worldwide every year and fewer than 20% are ever recycled, which makes vending machines a major source of plastic pollution.

A single Refiller can stock 10x more beverages than a typical vending machine so it can also reduce waste and delivery emissions.

Refilled is tracking the number of bottles is has saved in real time, and has created reusable bottles with QR codes that can be scanned at the Refiller and used to pay for drinks – no card, phone or cash required.

To date, Refilled has raised $600k through angel investors and Melt Ventures, an impact VC Fund. It is seeking an additional $1.5 million in its next funding round.

“Refilled is transforming the ordinary, everyday act of drinking water into climate action," says co-founder and CEO Ryan Nelson.

"Most people have good intentions and want to do good for the planet, but not everyone can afford to buy an electric vehicle or install solar panels.

"Armed with just a reusable bottle and a couple of bucks, our Refillers offer an affordable, achievable way to eliminate plastic pollution. If we can replace even a fraction of drinks vending machines, which are an outrageous source of plastic waste, we will stop millions of plastic bottles going to landfill.”

For more info see https://www.refilled.com.au/