Eating well in the Maldives starts with the right meal plan

The Maldives is a fairly magical travel destination; spectacularly beautiful.

And it offers a serious point of difference.

On most holidays, a disappointing hotel restaurant is a minor problem: you walk down the street and find somewhere better to wine and dine.

In the Maldives there is no street. 

Almost every one of the country's resorts has an island to itself, so whatever its kitchens serve is what you eat, three times a day, for the whole stay. No UberEats, no local takeaway.

That makes the meal plan one of the biggest decisions of the trip, and one of the least understood.

LuxAtolls, an independent website that compares the Maldives' 180-plus resorts, has catalogued what each one actually puts on the plate: every restaurant, its menu where the resort publishes one, and exactly what each meal plan covers.

Which is extremely useful if you are planning a trip with a gourmet focus.

 "The resort is the holiday," says founder Tym Lewtak, a long-time travel marketer who keeps going back to the Maldives. "Two properties with identical star ratings and similar nightly rates can be wildly different choices."

Nowhere is that truer than at the table.

All-inclusive in the Maldives doesn't mean what it means in Cancun, or the Caribbean, or Byron Bay. There is no standard.

At one end, a plan might be three buffet meals and house drinks in a single restaurant. At the other, Hurawalhi in Lhaviyani Atoll pours unlimited cocktails, wines and Taittinger champagne, and its sister island Kudadoo includes a meal at the 5.8 Undersea Restaurant, an all-glass dining room 5.8 metres under the sea.

The price gap between plans is just as wide.

LuxAtolls' Maldives Pricing Index found that across the 45 resorts selling both as paid upgrades, the all-inclusive supplement averages 173% more than the half-board one, largely down to the drinks. Most resorts now offer a choice: 113 of the 183 properties tracked have three or more meal-plan tiers.

Drinks are also where the bill creeps up. Every bar tab attracts a 10% service charge and 17% GST, so a US$20 cocktail actually costs US$25.74. Over a week, a couple spending US$200 a day on extras pays about US$400 in tax alone, which is often what tips the sums towards all-inclusive.

Prices on LuxAtolls are shown in US dollars, and its quotes include the service charge, GST and the US$12-per-person-per-night green tax, so the price quoted is the price paid.

The Maldives isn't only for big budgets, despite its reputation for luxury. Entry-level resorts start at around US$300-400 a night for two, breakfast included.

"There is a $5,000-a-night Maldives," Lewtak says. "There is also a $400-a-night Maldives. Most people only ever hear about the first one."

LuxAtolls' all-inclusive guide, resort reviews and quote service are at luxatolls.com.

Images: 5.8 Undersea at Hurawalhi; Coco Bar at Hurawalhi. Supplied by Luxattols.com.

French wine and spirits export volumes and values plunge

French wine and spirits exports have plunged to their lowest volume in at least 25 years, with demand damaged by trade tensions with both China and the US.

Sales were impacted by US tariffs and Chinese duties, with a strong Euro also making alcohol more expensive, industry body Federation des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (FEVS) said.

Total French wine and spirits exports dipped by 3% in volume in 2025 to 168 million cases, FEVS announced. Exports dipped by 8% in value to a five-year low of €14.3bn, with US and tariffs and Chinese duties hurting demand, trade publications drinks business reported. 

Traditionally, wine and spirits has been France’s second-largest export sector. It now trails behind aerospace and cosmetics.

FEVS chair Gabriel Picard said the sector would likely benefit from new EU trade agreements with India and the Mercosur bloc. But he warned the industry could continue to see difficulties in 2026 without improved market access.

In 2025, sales dropped almost a quarter (21%) to €3 billion, with volumes plummeting below 30 million cases. 

“There is a real decline in the United States and the volume correction may not have been sufficient, and perhaps we will see another volume correction in 2026,” Picard told Reuters news agency.

Cognac - France’s flagship spirit - saw sales dipping 15% in volume and 24% in value in 2025.

“Geopolitical tensions between France and China marked the end of cognac in China," Picard said. "Now stopping something doesn’t take long, but rebuilding takes a long time.” 

On the plus side, within Europe, wine and spirits exports held broadly stable at €4.1 billion, with resilience in markets such as the UK, where volumes rose 3% despite fiscal pressure, FEVS said.

The sales to South Africa also climbed 22% to €182 million, while Vietnam, the Philippines and Australia also showed strong momentum.

Aussies book ahead and want the best cabins, cruise data shows

Australians are taking a new approach to cruise holidays. 

New data from Cruise Guru reveals Aussies are booking bigger cabins, planning ahead and prioritising value. 

The new booking data released by Cruise Guru, one of Australia’s leading cruise specialists, has revealed major shifts in how cruise holidays are being planning and purchased. 

There is record demand for balcony cabins, signals that customers are planning further ahead and a renewed appetite for value-adds. 

Australians are continuing to book up, with balcony cabins now the most popular choice across all the  major cruise lines.

Cruise Guru booking data shows 48% of travellers booked balcony cabins and 11% booked suites in 2025, while inside cabin bookings were down across some cruise lines.

Cruise Guru CCO Michael Betteridge says this reflects a “quality over quantity” mindset.

“Aussies tend to love the fun and excitement of cruising but also want their own private sanctuary, views and the comfort that upgraded cabins offer," Betteridge says. 

"They see cruising as the best of both worlds and they’re willing to invest in that experience.”

Cruise Guru’s data shows a shift toward value-bundled fares.

“What we’re seeing is a shift from reactive buying to intentional planning," Betteridge says. "Customers are weighing total trip value, not just the headline price. Bundled inclusions succeed because they reduce decision fatigue and give travellers a sense of financial control over a trip that might be a year or more away.” 

Forward planning is also popular with an average lead time overall of around nine months. 

“While we have seen last-minute cruising demand, many itineraries are filled already," Cruise Guru reported. 

"We can see our Aussie clients planning more strategically. The desire to secure the right ship, the right itinerary, and the right cabin is pushing bookings further out. Customers have learned that waiting may mean missing out.”

Contact 13 13 03 to learn more or visit www.cruiseguru.com.au.

Image: Giuseppe Anello, Scop.io

Why Tasmanian wine producers are celebrating

Tasmanian wine producers are celebrating a combination of exceptional quality, strong value and record-breaking yields in 2025.

Tasmania’s wine grape growers managed variable seasonal conditions to harvest an impressive 23,002 tonnes of grapes - equating to about 20 million bottles of wine. This represents a 37% increase on 2024 and is almost double the disappointing 2023 vintage.

Sheralee Davies, CEO of Wine Tasmania, welcomed the 2025 vintage results and recognised the efforts of the island’s grape growers and winemakers, many of whom are small family businesses.

“Tasmania may only be a small wine region, producing 1.2% of the country’s total wine, but it represents 6.5% of the national value and is ranked fifth most valuable wine region based on its farmgate value,” Davies said.

The 2024/25 growing season was slightly warmer than average, but the island’s maritime and southerly-influenced climate helped moderate temperatures, while timely rainfall was received.

Harvesting began earlier than usual in 2025, with this earlier, condensed and larger vintage applying some pressure to winery capacity. Despite some challenges including localised frost and hail, Tasmania’s viticulturists reported good quality cool-climate fruit.

“This record vintage comes at a time when Tasmania is building on strong demand for its wine, including undertaking a new export market program," Davies said.."While global wine consumption is decreasing, people are prioritising and preferrencing higher quality wines, such as those Tasmania produces.”

The full 2025 Tasmanian wine grape vintage report can be accessed at winetasmania.com.au/vintage2025.

Image: Dalrymple vineyards

When is it worth bidding for a flight upgrade?

You know those emails you get when you have booked an economy class seat?

If you are like me you just delete them. Who needs to pay heaps more to enjoy a bigger seat for a one- or two-hour domestic flight?

But a Virgin Australia UpgradeMe offer dropped just before a recent trip from Sydney to Hobart.

"Make an offer to sit in Business Class and you could be experiencing second-to-none space and comfort. Benefits include:
#Pre-departure access to the Virgin Australia Lounge. Available at selected domestic airports
#Priority check-in and boarding, where available
#Food and drinks from our Business Class menu"

OK, I was just a little bit tempted. We were checking out of our hotel too early for breakfast. And early morning flights are often delayed.

Sitting in a comfortable lounge with barista coffee, food and fast free wifi sounded appealing.

Obviously, the higher your bid the better your chances of winning an upgrade. The lowest bid available was $65 per person. The highest, I think, $300+.

There was a kicker: Remember, if your bid isn’t successful, you don’t pay anything.

Why not risk a $65 bid? Particularly given the cost of food and drinks at Australian airports.

A coffee and breakfast can easily cost you $30, a newspaper (free in the lounge) a few bucks more.

Then there is that priority check-in, rather than wrangling your suitcase, printing your baggage tag and then taking it to the conveyer belt.

There's the welcome drink when you sit down on the plane, a full hot breakfast if you want it, and those bigger, more comfortable seats.

Nobody felt like splashing out $300+ plus, it seems, because our $65 bids were successful.

"Congratulations, your UpgradeMe Premium Bid offer has been successful!. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in our Business Class cabin."

A bit of a snooze in those comfy seats, a free orange juice, breakfast and first off the plane in Hobart with bags first to arrive because the Priority tags.

That's a win. I reckon it is worth putting in a minimum bid sometimes. 

Lots of people won't bother and the benefits can be well worth it - particularly if your departure is delayed an hour or two.

# Availability of Business Class seats is subject to change, which may impact upon your chance of a successful upgrade.

A super fresh sushi experience

If I lived in Ginza then Sushi Marui would probably be my local. 

Recommended by the front desk at the Mercure Hotel Ginza Tokyo, it is a classic sushi joint offering a choice between sitting at a counter overlooking the chefs at work, or seated dining upstairs. 

Two veteran chefs are manning the sharp knives, cutting up various types of fresh seafood; from three types of tuna to sea urchin and eel.  

Think some whelks, shawanmushi, miso soup, freshly prepared sushi platter and dessert. All tasty and delicious. 

Dinner for two costs around $125 including drinks. And this being Japan you don’t need to worry about tipping - which must be discombobulating for American tourists. 

I have no doubt there are better/cheaper places to be found in Tokyo. But the food here was good and they made us non-Japanese speakers very welcome. 

Sushi Marui, 3 Chome 8-15, Ginza, Chuo City. Http://ginza-maruisushi.com/index.html 

Tasmanian winemakers celebrate a cracking vintage

Tasmanian wine producers are welcoming a trifecta of excellent quality, record wine grape values and an overdue return to strong yields for vintage 2024.

Tasmanians grape growers managed variable and unsettled seasonal conditions to harvest the equivalent of approximately 14.5 million bottles of wine from 16,805 tonnes; up a massive 36% on the 2023 vintage.

Reflecting the island state's focus on value over volume, Tasmanian wine grapes harvested in 2024 set new records, averaging $3,674 per tonne across all varieties and styles (compared with $613 per tonne nationally), with the value of Tasmanian sparkling wine grapes up to $3,797/tonne.

Paul Smart, Wine Tasmania’s viticulture and winemaking officer, welcomed the positive vintage results, saying: "Based on wine grapes harvested across the country's 65 wine regions, Tasmania is the 13th largest by volume but the 5th most valuable, up from 10th most valuable in 2023. 

"After four low-yielding seasons in Tasmania, a return to solid volumes has been very welcome alongside excellent quality and will help Tasmania satisfy the ever-increasing global demand for its wines."

Seasonal conditions varied across the island. 

The north of the state received above average temperatures, while parts of the island’s south experienced cooler than average temperatures. 

It was also very dry in the south-east and drier than normal across the rest of Tasmania. But the seasonal conditions supported good yields and resulted in an earlier and condensed vintage in 2024.

A total of 1,214,000 cases (dozen) of 2024 wine were produced across the board. 

Throughout the season, 46% of Tasmania's vineyard area was managed under Tasmania’s VinØ (vin zero) program, a best practice viticulture and winemaking framework led by Wine Tasmania. 

The full 2024 Tasmanian wine grape vintage report can be accessed at www.winetasmania.com.au/vintage2024.

Reach for the SKYE: somewhere very pleasant to stay in Sydney

It is part of Zetland, an inner Sydney suburb which used to have little to commend it for tourists. 

Now Green Square is a lively lifestyle precinct full of eateries, up-market apartments and one of the best discoveries I have made recently: SKYE Suites.

Not only is SKYE Suites a little oasis just four kilometres from downtown Sydney, it is also directly above the Green Square Railway station, which links you directly to both the domestic and international terminals at Sydney Airport in around five minutes. 

Perfect for anyone with an early flight departure, or late flight arrival, but also a very good base for tourists wanting to spend a few days exploring Sydney. You are one stop from Central Station, with its links to both Sydney light rail routes and multiple buses. 

And you get an entire well-equipped apartment rather than a pokey city centre hotel room. 

You've got cooking facilities with Smeg and Miele appliances, a large fridge, dishwasher and coffee machine, fast wifi, wide-screen TV with Chromecast capability, plenty of charging ports and a compact but functional bathroom with classy Smith&Co amenities.

Bedrooms have super comfy Sleeping Duck memory foam mattresses. 

On-site, you can swim, use the gym, heated spa, sundecks with private cabanas and sunbeds, or walk just a couple of hundred metres to a range of restaurants and - to keep the kids happy - a Maccas, KFC and Taco Bell. 

There are two supermarkets - Asian and Australian - within a short stroll as are Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Chinese, grilled chicken eateries and cafés. 

So location, location, location. And it is a non-party, non-smoking property, so a good sleep is assured.  

Property developer Iwan Sunito is now the full owner of both the 90-room Skye Suites Green Square serviced apartment hotel and the One Global Conference Centre, each part of the $575 million Infinity Park precinct. 

“We are looking to take the SKYE Suites hotel to the next level, under a new brand ‘One Global Resorts',” Sunito said.

“We are looking to elevate the guest’s experience more along the lines of luxury international hotels. 

"We will embark on developing a new hotel chain beginning with SKYE Suites Green Square, followed by our site at Macquarie Park, with more planned.”

The suites stretch over 20 storeys as part of an "urban resort" - and just as importantly, the staff at the 24-hour reception desk are excellent. I arrived early and asked to store my luggage, but was quickly installed in an alternative room. Impressive. 

If you think some of the images look familiar, it is because SKYE Suites was recently the location for the the latest season of Channel Nine’s Married At First Sight series. 

The property offers a range of apartment types including a studio, one-, two- or three-bedroom apartments that can cater for a large family group. 

The bottom line: This is an urban sanctuary that's perfect for both overnight or longer stays. Very well priced, too. 

For more details check out https://www.skyegreensquare.com.au/

# The writer was a guest of SKYE Suites Green Square. Images: Winsor Dobbin 

When good friends whip out a bagnum

There are times when you just need a decent wine that is easily accessible.

You are heading to the beach, perhaps, or having a picnic, or a few friends around for a barbecue.

Bottles are unwieldly, casks just a little unreliable. What might fit the bill is a bagnum.

Australian wine brand Rewild has just launched its new eco-conscious bagnum format - joining a growing number of brands that offer the combo of decent drinking and lightweight convenience.

The Rewild bagnum options are 2023 chardonnay, 2023 sauvignon blanc and 2022 shiraz produced by Duxton Vineyards.

All are very drinkable at a price point that effectively sits them at under $10 a bottle, with the sauvignon blanc extremely varietal and refreshing, the stone fruit-driven chardonnay very decent and the shiraz at pub by-the-glass level.

All three wines are 100% Vegan friendly and the bagnums are designed to be shared, with each unit holding 1.5 litres (or the equivalent of 2x750ml glass bottles).

Rewild senior winemaker Tony Allen says the bagnum format gives wine-lovers a sustainable, convenient and affordable option:

“The consumer mindset when it comes to wine packaging is changing, with eco-conscious wine drinkers now appreciating that a bagnum format offers many benefits," he said.

"Not only does the bagnum hold more than a standard wine bottle, it also keeps wine fresher for longer [up to 30 days] once opened when compared to traditional bottled wine.

"With the packaging being at least 90% lighter than glass - and available at an affordable price point for 1.5 litres - the Rewild bagnum is perfect for outdoor group events or gatherings, or for those looking for a delicious yet affordable option.”

So not for a dinner party, perhaps, but certainly good pizza, pasta, picnic wines. All the fruit comes from vineyards in the Southern Murray Darling region.

Rewild bagnums are available at Dan Murphy’s stores starting from from $17.99.

See http://rewildwine.com.au/

Value will be a key driver for hotel guests in 2024

Hotel guests will see getting value for money as one of their primary travel drivers for 2024, an industry insider predicts.

Extending work stays with play, and re-creating the comforts of home in-room, will also be major trends as rising living costs may take high-end or extended travel off the agenda for many, says Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels.

Hooley, whose responsibilities include Oaks Hotels, Resorts and Suites says that as a nation of committed travellers, the brand is noticing many Australians would rather adapt their travel plans than give them up altogether.

Savvy operators will tap into this mindset and adapt to guests’ changing travel preferences, not just by offering deals, but by incorporating added value through partnerships with aligned brands, offering accommodation options for larger groups who can share costs, or encouraging leisure stays to be added onto work trips to save on flight costs, says Hooley.

“Simple things such as a weekend staycation in your own city, a road trip to a regional destination, or a coastal escape with family and friends are the key ingredients to a happy getaway, which is all about taking a break from the rigamarole of everyday life - and feeling like you’re getting great value for money," he says.

"That is something Oaks delivers with our spacious accommodation, value-add partnerships with familiar brands such as Foxtel, Menulog and The Coffee Club, and in-room kitchens, laundry facilities, and living spaces.”

While locals are still keen to get away despite the rising cost of living, value for money is influencing the way we travel, with guests carefully weighing up location, seasonal deals, loyalty program benefits and additional value-add items, such as in-room kitchens to save on the cost of eating out, in-room streaming rather than pay-per-view movies, and quality in-room coffee to avoid the pricey morning café run.

With hybrid working increasingly entrenched, travellers are adding extra days to work trips to save on purchasing airfares or are choosing to work from a holiday destination then explore after hours or on the weekend.

Again, while the bleisure concept isn’t a new one, it’s gaining traction with the skyrocketing work-from-home culture.

Tasmania's tiny wine industry continues to boom

 

Cool-climate Tasmania continues to punch above its weight in the wine industry with new figures showing the island state produces just 0.9% of Australia's total wine grape production but accounts for 4% of total value. 

The 2023 Tasmanian Wine Grape Vintage Report shows Tasmanian wine producers rose to the many challenges across the 2023 season to harvest modest volumes of excellent quality.

Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies said a challenging season resulted in low yields in many parts of the island but that there was also plenty of positive news.

"The overall 2023 vintage production is very similar to 2022, with many wine growing areas experiencing significantly lower yields," Davies said. 

"The decrease in yields has been partially offset by newer vineyards starting to come into production, with the island's total vineyard area continuing to expand.

“Due to the vigilance and tireless management of our producers, quality of the wine grapes harvested this year is reported to be excellent. With volumes down and increasing global demand, this means Tassie wine lovers may need to get in early to secure wine from their favourite vineyards.”

The 2023 season’s challenges came primarily from wet, cool growing conditions, causing delays to the ripening of wine grapes across much of the island. 

In 2023, Tasmania collectively harvested 12,390 tonnes of wine grapes, anticipated to produce 895,000 cases of wine with 32% sparkling wine. 

The season also delivered another record for the value of Tasmanian wine grapes, up to $3,377/tonne (up 4%)  compared with the national average of $642/tonne. 

Details at www.winetasmania.com.au/vintage2023

Image: Kate Hill Vineyard, Huon Valley. Winsor Dobbin

Eat like a Thai - in downtown Melbourne

It is a Monday night and the Melbourne CBD is close to deserted. The exception is a queue outside a small Thai restaurant on Bourke Street.

When I sit down in Isan Soul I find I am one of the few non Thais in the joint. I take that as a good sign.  

Isan Soul promises "Thai Street Food" - and it delivers. 

The food is great - and terrific value - but don't expect any airs and graces.

You order your food either by using an app, or heading to the counter, where you'll get a 5% discount for paying cash.

You'll be told you have 75 minutes to order, eat your food and depart, although I didn't see that being enforced.

Anyway, this is a place to grab a quick and tasty treat, not a venue for a long sit-down supper. 

It is bustling and engagingly chaotic with tables constantly being turned over. There are two-storeys with some quirky decor, including a real tuk-tuk.

I ordered prawn cakes with a sweet chilli dipping sauce ($8, above)), chicken, vegetable and cashew stir fry (below) for $13.90 (a sizeable serve which came spicy as ordered), some jasmine rice ($3) and a Mason jar with lemon, lime and bitters ($6).

With my discount I got away with a bill for just under $30, which was excellent value.

The menu features traditional Thai street dishes like pad Thai, pad see ewe, hot basil chicken and Thai papaya salad. There can be a hot and sour Isan kick if you like a bit of spice in your life.

My verdict: tasty, fun and affordable.

Isan Soul is at 98 Bourke St., Melbourne. Phone (03) 9654 0606.

    

Not the usual suspects: Six Penfolds Collection wines that deliver value

The new Penfolds Grange release - to which I gave 99 points - is priced at $1000 a bottle, which makes it very much a treat for collectors and the wealthy. 

Fortunately for regular wine lovers there are several wines in the new Penfolds Collection - released on Thursday - that ordinary mortals can afford. 

I tasted the range with chief winemaker Peter Gago and fellow Australian wine writers in Melbourne a few weeks back, so here are some of my best buys, and a couple worth splashing out on: 

Penfolds 2020 Bin 28 Shiraz: A multi-region, multi-vineyard offering utilising fruit from McLaren Vale, Barossa, Padthaway and the Clare that highlights the strength of the Penfolds blending team. Warm and welcoming; like catching up with an old friend. Dark and spicy - a classic winter warmer. $50.

Penfolds 2021 Bin 23 Pinot Noir: This has, for me, traditionally been one of the weakest links in the Penfolds' range but this 100% Tasmanian wine gets it it absolutely spot on. Classic cool-climate aromas and flavours deliver a very vaarietal wine that combines vibrancy and elegance. $50.

Penfolds 2020 RWT Bin 798: Serious complexity, intensity and flavour here. This is dark and very alive with some soft swagger and style to add to its serious structural elements. A day at the races. Top hat and tail please! $200 - and worth a splurge. 

Penfolds 2019 Bin 169 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon: A delightfully varietal young red sourced from prime Coonawarra vineyards, this has immediate upfront appeal with summer pudding flavours to the fore. A brilliant, focused wine that will certainly cellar well and is worth a wager. $300.

Penfolds 2019 St Henri Shiraz: Darn close to perfect and for my money the best-value wine in the range. As usual, very much in the groove for those looking for a youthful but serious red wine choice. Glorious forward fruit flavours with oak playing a minor support role. Charming and approachable. $135. 

Penfolds 2020 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz: Classic Barossa that shines in its youth. Warm and inviting and very plush on the palate. Plummy and spicy with Asian nuances. Complexity and minerality add to an attractive package. Pair with Chinese roast duck. $100.

Zagreb and Ljubljana wow visitors

Zagreb in Croatia and Ljubljana in Slovenia (above) lead a new ranking list of cities with a high degree of visitor satisfaction.

The two cities, both part of the former Yugoslavia, were the stars of a survey analyses air connectivity, average hotel prices, the levels of satisfaction and perceptions of visitors.

Having visited Ljubljana for a second time earlier this month, I can understand why it is such a hit. It is vibrant, green, easy to get around and has a lively bar and restaurant offering.

The large European capitals dropped in favour due to their high hotel prices and due to a low value placed by visitors on their tourist offerings.

Mabrian, a leading tourism intelligence company, shared a new study of the best European cities based on the value for money they offered during the month of June this year.

The conclusions were that the travel destination that offered the best value for money during the month of June was Zagreb.

Despite being among the lowest ranked in terms of air connectivity, it had a very high level of satisfaction in most of the areas analysed.

At the same time, it offers a very competitive accommodation price compared to other destinations surveyed.

In second position was Athens, which is better connected than Zagreb but with a slightly higher average price and lower satisfaction levels than Zagreb.

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, was reported as having the most competitive hotel prices and high levels of satisfaction. It was in third position because its air connectivity is limited.

Dubrovnik, also in Croatia, was the destination with the highest satisfaction levels among the analysed destinations. The average hotel price here is high, however, and air connectivity is limited, which places it in ninth position.

London and Paris, despite being better connected, were penalized by a very high average hotel prices.

Visitors were particularly dissatisfied with the hotel service in London and with the offer of tourist products in Paris.

Other big tourist cities such as Berlin, Barcelona and Amsterdam were at the bottom of the list for their high hotel prices and for the level of satisfaction, which remained low.

In order, the best tourist cities for quality and price in June were: Zagreb (Croatia), Athens (Greece), Ljubljana (Slovenia), Rome (Italy), Vienna (Austria), Lisbon (Portugal), Madrid (Spain), Milan (Italy), Dubrovnik (Croatia), Berlin (Germany), Amsterdam (Netherlands), Paris (France), Barcelona (Spain) and London (United Kingdom).

Carlos Cendra, Mabrian’s director of sales and marketing, said: “There is a growing trend of demand for less crowded and more authentic destinations.

"For this reason, countries such as Croatia and Slovenia and their capitals are highly valued destinations due to their balance between a destination that offers security, a differentiated offer of activities and a very attractive average price.

"The most mature urban destinations are suffering a rebound effect in demand that generates an increase in average prices and a reduction of the customer experience due to the possible saturation at some times and places.”

The five best-value wines in the 2021 release of the Penfolds Collection

Most of my wine writing colleagues will today be dissecting in minute detail the new-release 2017 Penfolds Grange - Australia's flagship red wine - which will be released on August 5. 

Today sees the lifting of the embargo on global tastings held last month of the new Penfolds releases. 

With the new Grange very much a special occasion wine at $950 a bottle, I thought you might be more interested in the best value wines among the new releases: wines ordinary folk can enjoy, or cellar, without taking out as second mortgage. 

The Australia Collection 2021 includes 2017 Grange $950.00; 2019 Yattarna Chardonnay $175.00; 2019 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon $650.00; 2019 RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz $200.00; 2019 Magill Estate Shiraz $150.00; 2018 St Henri Shiraz $135.00; 2020 Reserve Bin A Adelaide Hills Chardonnay $125.00;  2019 Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz $100.00; 2019 Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon $110.00; 2019 Bin 150 Marananga Shiraz $100.00; 2019 Bin 28 Shiraz $50.00; 2019 Bin 128 Coonawarra Shiraz $60.00; 2019 Bin 138 Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache Mataro $60.00; 2020 Bin 23 Pinot Noir $50.00; 2020 Bin 311 Chardonnay $50.00 and 2021 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling $40.00. 

That is a collection spanning five white and red wine vintages.

First of all, some notes about the new releases and some thoughts from Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago (above) on the "house style" that has been a hallmark for 177 years as the flagship Grange celebrates its 70th anniversary (1951 experimental – 2021). 

"Adored for its aromatic complexity, intensely rich fruit and ripe tannins of shiraz, Grange’s style and winemaking techniques have not altered since the first experimental vintages in the early 50s," says Gago. 

"After 70 years of unbroken vintage releases, the South Australian heritage icon is renowned by collector’s the world over for its unique Australian identity, consistency, and proven aging potential. 

“The original aspiration for Grange was to create a red wine ‘capable of staying alive for a minimum of 20 years’. Tell that to sexagenarian vintages such as ’52, ’53, ’55 & ’62! Stunningly drinkable in 2021! In modern parlance - under-promise, over-deliver! Long may it continue … and modern Grange vintages such as ’08, ’10 & ’16 patiently await judgement in 2071!” 

My verdict on the 2017 Grange: Made from 100% shiraz, a wine that combines richness and stylishness; powerful but elegant with layers of soft and smooth flavours ranging from racy to umami to dusty. 97/100. 

Like most Penfolds wines, the new vintage red and white wines will continue to develop and improve for many years after release - how long they should be kept depends on whether you enjoy your wine with some youthfulness or fully matured. 

Adding to this year’s Collection, Penfolds will launch two limited-edition wines made from parcels destined for Penfolds flagships: Superblend 802.A and 802.B Cabernet Shiraz (both $900). 

Essentially siblings raised in different environments, the wines represent two very different interpretations of the classic Australian blend of cabernet sauvignon and shiraz. The price of both is high for me, but they will doubtless be snapped up by collectors.

My top five value wines from the new releases: 

Penfolds 2018 St Henri: Made from 100% shiraz, it's all about the fruit here; dark and delicious and immediately accessible. Soft and supple and seductive. 99 points. $135. 

Penfolds 2021 Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling: Perhaps the best-ever Bin 51. High-altitude and cool-climate fruit with finesse and elegance that can be enjoyed now with its bright acidity, lemon sherbet notes and crispness, or be cellared. 97 points. $40. 

Penfolds Bin 407 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon: Beautifully balanced, impeccably composed with berries, cassis and chocolate notes and impressive tannin structure. Drinkable now but with decades to go. 97 points. $125. 

Penfolds Bin 128 2019 Coonawarra Shiraz: A really delicious cool-climate shiraz with dark fruits, pepper and spice notes duelling on your tongue. 12 months in French oak hogshead. 96 points. $60.

Penfolds RWT Bin 798 Barossa Valley Shiraz: The initials RWT stand for ‘Red Winemaking Trial’ but now a stalwart of the range. Made from Barossa Valley fruit selected for aromatic qualities and lush texture. This is bright and vibrant. 96 points. $200.  

For more information visit www.penfolds.com.