When, exactly, is wine o'clock?

When, precisely, is OK to grab a bottle of wine from the fridge and start winding down? 

With a house full of wine, I have a personal rule that I don't drink before 6pm during the week. That's unless I'm tasting; but sipping and spitting is more work than leisure.

The London Daily Express recently reported that 6pm on a Tuesday was officially wine o'clock, the time of the week most people were likely to grab a corkscrew (they are a bit behind the times at the Express) or twist the Stelvin. 

Research by online retailer Laithwaite's showed that 6pm is the most popular time for people to be buying, or talking about wine on social media. In Australia, that would be 8pm, from my observations. 

Women are more likely to drive the conversation, accounting for two-thirds of online chat about wine o'clock.

The Oxford Dictionary, God bless it, defines wine o'clock as "an appropriate time of day for starting to drink wine." 

To me, that would mean any time you have finished work for the day and do not have to drive, or have family commitments. So wine o'clock on a Friday might be very different to wine o'clock on a Monday, when you have to drive the kids to soccer practice.

The London Daily Mail, the social bible of the well-off British idiot, ran a story last year with mums saying they felt 1pm, or 2pm, was the perfect time for a glass of chilled white. At the weekend, maybe, but midweek, surely not? 

"There is something so deliciously naughty about drinking in the afternoon," said one these mums, but she probably has a nanny to look after the kids. 

I love a long, lazy, wine-filled lunch as much as the next man, but they have become the exception rather than the rule. 

So I'm really not sure about when wine o'clock should be. Your thoughts? 

New Wellington hotel with a French accent

As an unashamed Francophile, I am a fan of the Sofitel brand. I like to be greeted with a cheerful "bonjour" and enjoy the little French touches you find in Sofitel properties. 

Opening soon, the new Sofitel Wellington will be the third Sofitel hotel in New Zealand, joining its award-winning sister hotels Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour and Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa - both of which I have stayed at and enjoyed.

Sofitel’s brand-new 129-room, 14-storey hotel is located between Wellington landmarks ‘The Beehive’ and the Botanical Gardens. 

Guests are promised "beautifully-appointed rooms and suites in vintage gold and bronze tones with indulgent rain showers, complimentary wifi internet for multiple devices, Smart TVs with Bluetooth, a So Fit gymnasium and state of the art technology across three meeting and event venues" when it opens on July 1.

Floral frescos will enliven the Jardin Grill, Sofitel’s on-site restaurant, while the blurb says "guests can bask around outdoor fire pit in the sheltered al fresco courtyard".  

There will also be a lounge and bar, The Green Room (below).
  

Chris Sedgwick, senior vice-president AccorHotels New Zealand, Fiji and French Polynesia (what a ridiculous mouthful), said: “Sofitel Wellington is a strategic addition to our New Zealand hotel network and will play a key role in further elevating Wellington’s international profile and attractiveness as a key leisure and business destination.

“We are confident that Sofitel’s strong branding in the luxury market will appeal and cater to a range of domestic and international travellers seeking personalised and high-end hospitality in the capital. 

"It’s been a decade since a hotel of this quality and status has opened in Wellington and we are delighted to welcome Sofitel Wellington to the AccorHotels luxury portfolio in July.”

Sofitel Wellington is now bookable on accorhotels.com and sofitel.com for stays from July 1, 2016. Room rates will start from $NZD 225 per room per night - but you might need to be quick to snap them up.

Get to know Macao without leaving Sydney

When I visited Macau last year I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the lively Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. 

I wrote a story saying how fast things move there. So fast, it happens, that they've actually now changed its name to Macao.

If any Sydney readers would like to find out about Macao without leaving home, the Macao Government Tourism Office is to take up a section of Wynyard Park each morning next week to offer complimentary “wake up with Macao” coffee to commuters. 

The initiative is part of a campaign to promote Macao festivals and events and unveil a new slogan – Experience Macao – Your Own Style. As slogans go that is pretty dull - something Macao itself cannot be accused of. 

From next Monday to Friday (May 9-13), between 7am and 10am, office workers can learn more about the former Portuguese Asian enclave as a holiday destination. 

Th focus will also be on Macao’s calendar of festivals and events with consumers having the chance to win a $2400 coffee maker and barista starting kit.

“We intend to showcase to passersby what Macao really has to offer as a holiday and business destination,” said Helen Wong, general manager of the Macao Government Tourism Office (Australia and New Zealand).

“A large colourfully decorated container will be in place with two baristas preparing and serving complimentary coffee in attractive cups to guests in promoting our new motto. 

“About 100,000 Australians visit Macao each year and we believe such a promotion will further boost the number of holidaymakers.”

The “Wake up with Macao” promotion will be one of a number of campaigns to be unveiled throughout the year which much interest on such events and festivals as the International Fireworks Display Contest in September, the annual Macao Grand Prix in November and the Macao Marathon in December.

Details: Macao Government Tourism Office (02) 9264 1488

www.visitmacao.com.au

When life in the wine industry is not so fabulous

Some of the highest-profile winemakers in Australia are women. Think of the likes of Vanya Cullen, Sue Hodder and Louisa Rose for starters.

Throw in the fact that Sam Connew is chair of judges at the Sydney Wine Show and you'd think everything was hunky dory in terms of gender equality. 

Sue Hodder of Wynn's Coonawarra Estate 

It isn't. On a recent trip to western Victoria, I didn't come across a single woman winemaker (I'm sure there are some; I just didn't meet any). 

And look at the judging panels at some of the regional shows. A dozen old blokes in tweed jackets in a row. A veritable sausage fest. 

High-profile women winemakers are the exceptions rather than the rule and today a national survey has revealed for the first time the workplace gender inequality in the Australian wine industry from the perspective of women working in the business. 

Vanya Cullen of Cullen Wines 

The survey, the first of its kind ever undertaken, asked the all-female respondents to report on their experience in four key areas: pay, maternity and child care, sexist behaviour in the workplace and career advancement.

Key findings included:

The Pay Gap 42% know (or believe) they are paid less than their male colleagues

Maternity & Child Care 25% have experienced unfair treatment over issues of pregnancy, children and/or maternity leave. For those currently with dependent children at home under 18 years of age, that went up to 33%.

Sexist behavior at work 67% have experienced sexist behavior in their workplace

Career advancement 18% believe they do not receive equal career advancement opportunity

So. Not so rosy then. And some of the anecdotes from those polled were horrendous.

“We keep hearing about it anecdotally, but for the first time we now have concrete evidence of the issues women in the Australian wine industry are facing in terms of gender equality,” said Jane Thomson, founder of The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society and chair of the Australian Women in Wine Awards. “And the picture is not a pretty one.”

“Often when chatting informally to women in the industry about their personal experiences they are far less telling. There is pressure not to be seen as ‘that girl’ who takes a stand or makes trouble. However, given the chance to report these things anonymously the true magnitude of the issues has been given voice.” 

But is it all doom and gloom? Ms.Thomson thinks not: “Before any problem can be tackled it needs to be fully understood. So the positive that comes out of all this is that we now have a measure of the issue and, as a community, we can work together to create solutions.”

The survey was conducted by The Fabulous Ladies’ Wine Society on behalf of the advisory board of Australian Women in Wine Awards. A total of 279 women from across all sectors and geographical regions completed the survey between December 2015-January 2016.

# The writer is an old bloke 

One of the most fun food and wine events in Australia

The Lovedale Long Lunch is one of those wine and food events where it is almost impossible not to have a good time.

And the festival that brings a sleepy corner of the Hunter Valley alive for two days of the year is back on May 14-15, showcasing a range of Hunter standouts. 

Seven of Lovedale’s wineries; Allandale, Emma's Cottage, Sandalyn, Gartelmann, Saltire, Wandin and Tatler, will be teaming up with renowned local restaurants and offering live entertainment for a progressive-style lunch over an entire weekend.

Tatler will be offering some chardonnay and shiraz together with a mix of cuisines and live music. 

Saltire Estate has promised a ‘brilliant twist’ on local Hunter Valley produce while paying homage to its Scottish heritage and Muse Restaurant will be teaming up with Sandalyn Wilderness Estate to provide an ‘ultimate indulgence’ experience.

For more information and transport options please visit: www.lovedalelonglunch.com.au  

New dining option at the Royal Mail

Parker Street Project is the new lunch and dining option at one of Australia's most famous gourmet destinations; the Royal Mail Hotel in Dunkeld in Western Victoria.

The new offering opened mid-March in the area of the Royal Mail Hotel formerly known as the Public Bar. The Parker Street Project offering consists of seasonal, à la carte, ingredient-focused menu options alongside traditional ‘pub classics’ for the mid-priced diner.

Executive chef Robin Wickens will feature more affordable options using ingredients grown in the Royal Mail Hotel organic kitchen garden – the largest working restaurant kitchen garden in Australia - while sommelier Marcus Radny will select wine flights from the extensive wine collection to introduce diners to new tastes.

The space was refurbished with local artworks and freshly polished wood floors - treading the line between gastro pub and fine dining – to introduce a new signature menu that the chef describes as “simple, precise, seasonally-driven comfort food.”

The Parker Street Project menu includes the Royal Mail Hotel beef and lamb – which is reared on the owners' neighbouring Mount Sturgeon property.

The menu may include Great Ocean duck terrine with green pickle;?organic chicken with Mount Zero grains and crab apple, or lamb shoulder with cumin and carrot, as well as pub classics with a Royal Mail twist like Port Fairy fish with hand-cut chips and the Royal Mail beef burger.

A range of boutique beers including the Royal Mail Hotel and Temple Brewing collaboration “Seasons Harvest” and speciality spirits are also available. 

Nestled at the southern tip of the spectacular Grampians National Park, the Royal Mail Hotel was originally established in 1855 as a bluestone inn that offered accommodation, stabling, a reception room for concerts and meetings and was at one time a farm supplies store. 

A multi-million dollar refurbishment was undertaken in 1997 incorporating historical architectural features with contemporary styling. Since then the property has then been regularly upgraded and refurbished with the most recent improvements including the installation of a wine bar and upgraded accommodation facilities.

Now recognised as one of Victoria’s premier destination dining venues, the hotel has received acclaim for its innovative kitchen brigade, extensive culinary plantings and a cellar containing one of the most comprehensive and varied wine collections in the country, including Australia's leading collection of Bordeaux and Burgundy.  

These features of the property have put Dunkeld on the culinary radar globally and established a reputation as one of the best high-end travel destinations in regional Victoria.

The Royal Mail Hotel provides a wide range of luxury accommodation options for up to 120 guests with motel-style rooms and cottage accommodation at the nearby Mt Sturgeon Station. 

The Parker Street Project will be open every day for lunch from noon-2.30pm, dinner from 6pm until late and for gourmet snacks all day. For bookings phone (03) 5577 2241 or visit www.royalmail.com.au.