Tahbilk wine releases mark 100 years of family ownership

 

The Purbrick family, as regular readers will know, is marking 100 years of ownership of one of Australia's iconic wine brands: Tahbilk. 

To mark the occasion, the Victorian winery has released a special commemorative Centennial wine collection. 

The releases from Victoria's oldest family-owned wine producer are all cellar aged to offer immediate drinking pleasure. 

"Each bottle in this collection marks a chapter in Tahbilk's journey," the family says. 

"They are a testament to the estate's dedication to craftsmanship and tradition. From Reginald Purbrick's original purchase to the following generations of commitment and care, the Tahbilk team continues to honour their rich legacy while keeping an eye on the future."

The collection, available at special prices to wine club members, includes a 2015 Marsanne, 2017 Riesling, a 2015 Sparkling Marsanne, a 2015 Old Block Shiraz, a 2015 Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2013 Fortified Shuraz. 

I'll report back further when I have tried them.

If you are at cellar door, also look out for the book The Purbricks of Tahbilk 1925-2025 by Fay Woodhouse. 

Check out www.tahbilk.com.au    

Sydney Brewery making big strides

 

Many Australian small-batch brewers are doing it tough in a difficult economy but hotel mogul Dr Jerry Schwartz's Sydney Brewery is expanding its operations.

Sydney Brewery has announced the takeover of the Rocks Brewing Company and Restaurant in Alexandria and is developing a new brewery at Lovedale, in the Hunter Valley.

The Schwartz Family Company (SFC) has acquired the Rocks Brewing Company, including its production facilities and restaurant/bar. Rocks Brewing entered voluntary administration in October of last year.

The brewery will be incorporated into Sydney Brewery’s operations, with the brewery and restaurant re-branded as Sydney Brewery Alexandria, complementing Sydney Brewery Surry Hills and the production facility at Lovedale. 

The 20hL Brewhouse in Alexandria will be vital for meeting the massive increase in demand for Sydney Brewery beers and ciders, SFC director Jerry Schwartz says.

In addition, a new 30hL Brewhouse is scheduled to open at Lovedale by Easter, which will function in addition to the existing 18hL Brewhouse.

 
Schwartz said that the acquisition of Rocks Brewing Company was a positive move for the industry.

“Last year was a very difficult year for the craft brewing industry, but Sydney Brewery bucked the trend, and we have been urgently seeking extra capacity to produce our craft beers,” he said. 

“Our Sydney Brewery and restaurant in Surry Hills has been very popular and we believe that we can make Sydney Brewery Alexandria similarly popular with locals and visitors. 

"We will be looking to sell the remainder of the Rocks Brewing stock and then start producing the Sydney Brewery range from the Alexandria site.

“We will more than double our production capacity at Lovedale in the Hunter Valley, and by the time everything is operational, our potential capacity will have increased to over half a million litres of craft beers, ciders and spirits across our various breweries.

“It was perhaps inevitable that the craft brewing industry would consolidate after years of rapid growth. Sydney Brewery has been operating since 2005 and not only has its own outlets, but it also supplies to our network of 15 hotels in NSW, ACT, Queensland and Victoria, and has a strong presence in retail trade.

“We are ramping up production while many craft brewers are struggling to survive, and our takeover of the Rocks Brewery operation will provide an outstanding opportunity to both increase the amount of Sydney Brewery craft beers that we produce and also revive the Alexandria location as a prime brewpub, dining, entertainment and functions venue.

“We will revamp the menu, the drinks selection and the entertainment over the next few months. The Brewpub is currently operating and will officially relaunch with its new branding and menus in mid March."

Sydney Brewery Alexandria is in the Sydney Corporate Park, 160 Bourke Rd, Alexandria, with easy access from Sydney CBD and the Sydney Airport precinct.

Qatar-Virgin deal set to get go ahead

The airline landscape in Australia is set for a major re-set with the consumer watchdog proposing to grant authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways which will allow them to engage in co-operative conduct under an integrated alliance for five years.

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways are seeking authorisation to engage in an integrated alliance where Virgin Australia, in partnership with Qatar Airways, will commence 28 new weekly return services between Doha and Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

Under the proposed arrangements, Virgin Australia would use Qatar Airways’ aircraft and crew to operate the new services. This is known in the aviation industry as ‘wet lease’ arrangements.

The ACCC said today that it considers that the proposed co-operative conduct is likely to result in public benefits and is unlikely to result in any public detriment. 

Which will likely infuriate Virgin competitor Qantas.

"We consider that the proposed co-operative conduct would likely result in several public benefits including providing enhanced products and services for air travellers which would include increased choice of international flights, with additional connectivity, convenience and loyalty program benefits for consumers,” ACCC Commissioner Anna Brakey said.

The new air services are subject to final regulatory approvals by the ACCC and other government bodies. 

The ACCC is now seeking feedback on this draft determination before it makes a final decision.

The ACCC granted interim authorisation to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways on November 29 to enable them to commence marketing and selling the new Australia-Doha services.

When granting interim authorisation, the ACCC accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from both airlines which ensures that if any of the necessary final regulatory approvals are not granted, then customers who have booked the proposed new services will be given the option of a refund or re-accommodation on a suitable alternative flight at no additional charge and would be compensated for any reasonably foreseeable costs.

A number of interested parties have since raised concerns with the ACCC that the proposed co-operative conduct would circumvent Australian workforce laws and regulations, and that the lack of time limits on the use of Qatar-based crew to operate the new services will have negative implications for the Australian aviation workforce.

“We consider that Virgin Australia is unlikely to commence operating long-haul international services between Australia and the Middle East on a stand-alone basis in the next five years,” Brakey said.

“In those circumstances, we do not consider that there is likely to be a material detrimental impact on the Australian aviation workforce as a result of the conduct.”

Under the proposed arrangements Velocity Frequent Flyer members will continue to be able to earn and redeem Velocity points on Singapore Airlines operated services globally, including to and from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. 

Virgin Australia’s arrangements with South African Airways and Virgin Atlantic would be unchanged. 

The ACCC is seeking submissions in response to the draft determination by March 7 before making its final determination.

A Brisbane weekend for gin lovers

 

Planning to spend some time in Brisbane over autumn? Enjoy a tipple or two? 

Here is a date for your diary: April 4-6. 

Brisbane Gin Festival returns for its fourth year but is now at the more spacious Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds, allowing more gin lovers to join the celebration. 

Around 50 of Australia’s best distillers will showcase their finest creations with 11 brands making their festival debut and a selection of favourites returning. 

Among the newcomers, festival-goers can look forward to are: Bunker Distillery (NSW), The Matilda Distilling Company (QLD), Sip & Banter Distillery (QLD), The Rare Orchid Distilling Co. (QLD), Three Wise Men Distillery (NSW), Island Coast Spirits (TAS), Western Queensland Spirit (QLD), Hobson’s Distillery (VIC), Liquidus Distillery (QLD), and Temple of Juniper (VIC).

Favourites returning include The Farmers Wife Distillery (NSW), Prohibition Distillery (SA), Ester Spirits (NSW), The Gin Boutique (ACT), Nosferatu(QLD), and Taylor & Smith (TAS).

Each guest will receive complimentary Long Rays tonic and soda and the festival will also feature a selection of food vendors. 

The Drunken Farmhand’s range of artisan sauces, pickles, chutneys, and preserves, made with locally grown produce, will also be on sale. 

There will be masterclasses, as well as free 10-15 minute sessions at the Taste Theatre, where distillers, Long Rays mixers, and Schibello Coffee will share their insights into the world of spirits and mixers.

The Brisbane Gin Festival is organised by the Australian Gin Distillers Association Inc. 

For more info visit ginevents.com.au.

One place where alcohol-free wine is not welcome

No-and low-alcohol wines might be riding a wave of popularity but the Church of England has banned alcohol-free wine from Holy Communion. 

The church has ruled that alcohol-free wine cannot be used in Holy Communion, as it would violate ecclesiastical law, wine news website Decanter.com reports.

Church leaders were asked to consider allowing alcohol-free wine and gluten-free bread alternatives during the Eucharist ritual.

They ruled, however, that using alcohol-free wine would break Church law, as the process of fermentation would be ‘nullified’.

They also decided that wheat alternatives such as rice flour, potato flour or tapioca flour cannot be used to make the bread or wafers taken during the ritual.

The Rt Rev Michael Ipgrave, the Bishop of Lichfield and chairman of the Church’s Liturgical Commission, said the Church was not prepared to overturn two settled positions.

"First, that bread made with wheat and the fermented juice of the grape are the elements to be consecrated in Holy Communion; and second, that receiving Holy Communion in one kind in a case of necessity is not an 'exclusion' but full participation in the sacrament, as often practised in the communion of the sick, or with children," he said.

"Indeed, even believers who cannot physically receive the sacrament are to be assured that they are partakers by faith of the body and blood of Christ, and of the benefits he conveys to us by them."

Sound like weirdo Mumbo Jumbo to you? Me too. 

Holy Communion is a key sacrament of the Christian faith. Worshipers take bread and wine, which symbolise the body and blood of Christ. The service is a memorial of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Canon law states that the bread must be made from the ‘best and purest wheat flour that conveniently may be gotten, and the wine the fermented juice of the grape, good and wholesome’.

Some priests and congregants are unable to consume gluten and alcohol, so they cannot take the bread or wine.

A five-day meeting of the General Synod, the Church’s legislative body, is currently taking place in London. Ahead of the meeting, the Rev Canon Alice Kemp asked Church leaders to ‘enable the legal use of gluten-free and alcohol-free elements at the Eucharist to remove the injustice of this exclusion’.

Church leaders reiterated that the bread used in the sacrament must be made from wheat flour, while the wine must be the fermented juice of the grape.

The Legal Advisory Commission of the General Synod ruled that some alcohol can be extracted from the wine. However, it can only be ‘legally used’ if some alcohol remains.

The commission also said that low-gluten wafers can be used, but alternatives made from ‘rice flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, natural gum and water’ will not be permitted.

On the right track: doing the Silk Road in style

From budget travel to luxe experiences, Wendy Wu Tours, a leading China tour specialist, has introduced a new luxury offering to its line up in 2025, unveiling a15-day itinerary of the Silk Road that includes a tip on board the Silk Road Express.

The new Legends of the Silk Road tour blends five-star and boutique hotel stays with a sense of adventure (so I am reliably informed).

Wendy Wu Tours Australia managing director Simon Bell said the new tour addition marks a step into the luxury travel market for the company, while staying true to Wendy Wu Tours’ commitment to immersive, all-inclusive adventures.

“We are proud to launch our new 15-day Silk Road itinerary this year, which incorporates a three-night stay aboard the opulent new Silk Road Express, and taps into the growing demand for nostalgic, refined, and one-of-a-kind travel experiences in China,” he said.

“This highly-anticipated route offers a unique opportunity for train enthusiasts and travellers alike to explore the rich cultural and natural wonders of China in exquisite comfort and style - an irresistible blend of luxury and adventure.”

Simon has the hype down pat, doesn't he?

Bell said that as rail journeys continue to rise in popularity, travellers are seeking new ways to explore must-see destinations in comfort and style.

“It is an exciting new chapter as the company continues to expand its itineraries and offerings to meet the evolving needs and interests of its clientele and adds to its growing collection of international rail holidays.

"This particular tour is a great example that reflects Wendy Wu Tours’ commitment to responding to market trends while delivering a fresh premium experience for our guests.”

The Silk Road Express is an international tourist train that made its inaugural journey in December.

The train offers a luxurious way to explore China, from the modern cities of Beijing and Shanghai to ancient treasures like the Terracotta Army and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mogao Grottoes.

This tour includes three nights in Gold Class cabins, featuring en-suite accommodation with private bathrooms, smart toilets, power showers, and deluxe amenities like Dyson hairdryers, a minibar, and complimentary tea, coffee, and mineral water.

The train offers a choice between Chinese and western cuisines. 

Tour highlights include a tasting of Chinese wines, a visit to a night market and meetings with local artists. The tour will be for a maximum of 20 passengers.

With standard prices from $27,880 per person, a launch price of $25,880 per person, is available for those who reserve their booking before February 28.

For full details see www.wendywutours.com.au/china/tours/legends-of-the-silk-road.htm