Here comes organic non-alcoholic cider

There are plenty of non- and low-alcohol wines and beers in the marketplace - and now there is a new cider offering.

Willie Smith's, the organic producers in the Huon Valley in the deep south of Tasmania, just released their non-alcoholic cider - but are adamant it is not just apple juice.

Retailing for $55 for a case of 16 cans, the Willie Smith's team says the new cider has been "years in the making but kept under wraps until now".

They say is it is "refined, refreshing and crafted to be more than just sparkling apple juice". 

It is made from 100% Tasmanian apples using seasonal heirloom varieties plus Pink Lady, Fuji and Royal Gala apples. It comes with no added sugar and is gluten free.

See www.williesmiths.com.au

A new travel app you can probably do without

Sometimes you get a press release about a product that sounds great.

Then you investigate and it isn't great at all.

Today's press release promised: "Now there is one travel app that provides an essential travel companion and it’s free!"

It may be free, but it certainly isn't essential.

The Australian Visitor Centres App is available for free download from the App Store or Google Play.

The press release says: "It opens the window on a wealth of up-to-date information for travellers starting with the location of over 400 accredited Visitor Information Centre across Australia. Wherever you’re travelling, from the tropics to the ski-fields, the coast to the outback, you can find the inside track on what to see and do from locals."

OK. Sounds good. So I downloaded it and it proved clunky, and very hard to navigate.

I put "Tasmania" and "Huon Valley" into the search engine as an experiment and got nothing.

The press blub claims: "Whether you are seeking must do attractions, galleries, bush walks and nature-based experiences, in search of fishing spots, the nearest golf course or great dining options, the Australian Visitor Centres App includes a wealth of information and special deals."

I've just deleted the app.

Tourism conference unveiled for later this month

Imagine being a major tourism organisation and then announcing that your global conference will be held later in the month.

Have these tourism "experts" not noticed how hard it is to get a flight - and failed to note that the end of November is painfully close to Christmas;  a peak time for travel agents and tourism operators.

Apparently not.

A press release dropped yesterday saying that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will jointly organise the 6th World Tourism Conference (WTC) 2022 from November 28-30 in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

Themed “Tourism Futures Reimagined”, the conference aims to provide an "interdisciplinary platform" (how very newspeak) that champions thought leadership on tourism futures and strategies driving tourism's recovery and resilience in a post-pandemic world.

OK. we know that jargon will be to the forefront for those that do manage to get to the event.

WTC 2022 will apparently feature a line-up of "world-renowned" speakers over four sessions.

Malaysia reopened its international borders on April1.

That's all I've got.

More Thai opportunities for Qantas frequent flyers

Qantas Frequent Flyers can now book Classic Flight Reward seats to more than 20 destinations across Thailand and south-east Asia as part of a new partnership with Bangkok Airways launched today.

Bangkok Airways joins Qantas Frequent Flyer’s more than 45 existing partner airlines, which will allow members to use their points to travel to more destinations in Thailand.

Travellers can access Bangkok Airways flights from Australia via Bangkok, Phuket and Singapore. The Qantas Group operates more than 50 return flights each week between these cities and Australia.

Bangkok Airways is a full-service carrier, with regular flights each day out of its hub in Bangkok to some of Asia’s most popular destinations, including Koh Samui and Chiang Mai in Thailand and Siem Reap in Cambodia.

The partnership expands on a codeshare agreement that was introduced in 2014 allowing Qantas customers to book commercial seats on Bangkok Airways flights.

Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth said Qantas Frequent Flyer was excited to welcome Bangkok Airways to the program.

“We want our members to be able to use their Qantas Points on reward seats to as many destinations as possible and our portfolio of partner airlines means they can choose from hundreds of locations across the globe," she said.

“Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for our frequent flyers and this partnership will make it easier for them to explore more of the region using their points.

“The option to book reward seats on Bangkok Airways’ expansive network across Thailand and south-east Asia will also open up thousands of new redemption opportunities.

“Reward seats continue to be great value and there are millions available for booking now across domestic and international routes for the next year on Qantas, Jetstar and our partner airlines.”

Award-winning Stillwater wine list runs deep

Long-time Launceston favourite Stillwater Restaurant has been crowned champion in the 2022 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year awards.

Sommelier James Welsh's impressively detailed list took out the overall Best Tasmanian Wine List in the awards organised by Wine Tasmania.

Three additional categories were awarded this year, including a new category - Best Small Wine Bar List - which was awarded to Launceston venue Bar Two.

The Old Bank of Geeveston took out the award for Judges’ Choice Best Regional Wine List for a second consecutive year and The People’s Choice award, as voted by the Tasmanian public, was awarded to culinary touring experience Eat the Wild.

Stillwater Restaurant’s extensive selection of both current vintage and museum wine coupled with its high standard of customer service earned the venue the prized title .

Stillwater’s co-owner and sommelier James Welsh said the eatery has a philosophy that focuses on combining local produce, beautiful wine and exceptional service.

“The palpable sense of care and community is the best thing about Stillwater and that’s why many of our customers continue to dine with us after 20 years of operation," he said.

"We are privileged to play a part in some of life’s most precious moments - hosting engagements, anniversary dinners and milestone birthdays.”

The judging panel commended all the finalists for their great support of local wine producers.

Judge and wine writer Winsor Dobbin (oops, that's me) said: “I think this is the most impressive list of finalists we have seen so far, and the standard of wine lists featuring local wines is on the rise.”

Wine Tasmania’s CEO Sheralee Davies said: “The entries this year reflect much greater depth and diversity of wine lists across different wine producers, wine growing areas, vintages, varieties and styles than seen before.

"Wine knowledge, training and service is an elevated priority for venues and their staff, with a wide range of additional promotion and activity being undertaken by venues to support local wine producers."

2022 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year award winners:

Judges’ Choice Best Wine List – Stillwater
Judges’ Choice Best Small Wine Bar List – Bar Two
Judges’ Choice Best Regional Wine List – The Old Bank of Geeveston
People’s Choice Best Wine List – Eat the Wild

2022 Tasmanian Wine List of the Year finalists (listed alphabetically):

Alida Restaurant at Penny Royal (Launceston), Aura Hobart, Black Cow Bistro (Launceston), Black Footed Pig (Hobart), Driftwood Restaurant (Lauderdale), Mudbar (Launceston), Mures Upper Deck (Hobart), Peppermint Bay (Woodbridge), Peppina (Hobart), Prospect House Private Hotel (Richmond), Stelo at Pierre’s (Launceston) and The Gorge Restaurant (Trevallyn).

Beaune splashes out on wine tourism

Beaune, the wine capital of Burgundy, will soon have a new tourism juggernaut to pull in further visitors to the region.

The impressive-looking Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne is due to open in spring next year.

The UNESCO World Heritage site is following a sustainable approach to tourism.

The city of Beaune has sought to develop sustainable tourism with the construction of an environmentally friendly building, at the heart of the Parc de la Chartreuse.

The building, standing 24 metres high, is an example of eco-friendly construction, the builders say.

There has been use of bio-sourced materials, with hemp concrete utilised for the construction of wooden-framed façades.

This natural plant-based insulation is made in France and supplied in bulk.

The Cité will be the tallest building in France that incorporates this natural insulation technique.

The building is designed for renewable energy and system efficiency, with the installation of photovoltaic panels and an energy recovery heat pump.

The Cité des Climats et vins de Bourgogne will be the flagship of a commercial centre including complementary services (luxury hotel, entertainment centre, shopping, etc.).

The visitor experience will extend across 1,100m2. It will be arranged in sequences and discovery areas around the theme of the terroir, wines and climats of the Burgundy wine region.

Beaune is located between Lyon and Dijon and is one of the key wine centres in France.