Put a cork in it. China threatens Australia with Grape Wall

China has turned from sweet to sour on Australian wine, launching an anti-dumping investigation as diplomatic relations between the two nations continue to be glacial.

The inquiry will look into whether Australian winemakers dumped cheap bottles of wine into China over a five-year period, damaging out local producers, Australian Associated Press reported.
Trade Minister Simon Birmingham described confirmation of the inquiry as "a very disappointing and perplexing development".

"Australian wine is not sold at below market prices and exports are not subsidised," he said.

"Australia will engage fully with the Chinese process to strongly argue the case that there are no grounds to uphold the claims being made."

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud has denied the dumping allegations.

"Australia produces some of the best quality and most popular wine in the world," he said.

"That reputation has been recognised by Chinese consumers who have helped make China our largest export market with $1.1 billion exported in 2019-20."

China is Australia's largest trading partner but several rifts have seen the relationship under strain.

China recently imposed tariffs on Australian barley, suspended some beef imports and warned students and tourists it was not safe to travel to Australia because of allegations of racism.

Shares in Treasury Wine Estates dropped by 14% as news of the investigation emerged and have since been halted from trading on the Australian Stock Exchange.

TWE, which imports premium brands such as Penfolds and Wolf Blass into China, said it would co-operate with the investigation.

"TWE's focus will remain on building premium and luxury brands, investing in the local operating model and team, and working with partners to enhance the wine category and grow our contribution to China," the company said in a statement to the ASX.

Umbrella body Australian Grape & Wine said it was aware of the request by the Chinese industry to the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFOCM) to launch the investigation.

"Australia has a large number of exporters with close cultural ties to China," it said in a statement. "The Australian industry welcomes the opportunity to build on these ties and work with the Chinese industry and government to further technical cooperation and develop lasting relationships."

Mixed news for lovers of an Australian wine classic

This should be a year of celebration for Grosset Wines, which is marking 40 years in business and the 40th consecutive release of Grosset Polish Hill and Springvale rieslings.

Not only is 2020 a disaster in business terms for small wine producers but the lack of rain meant volumes of each of the acclaimed Grosset rieslings are what Jeffrey Grosset describes as "woeful" - the lowest in three decades.

"With the world in turmoil this 40-year celebration is a low-key, almost sombre affair," Grosset (right) says.

But there is some good news. Grosset describes the 2020 riesling releases as "beautiful, with so much flavours, texture and persistence."

For riesling lovers it could a case of the the quick and the thirsty.

Back in 1981, Grossset purchased and converted the old milk depot in Auburn - turning it into a makeshift winery at a time when many Australian rieslings were still sickly sweet affairs.

"The aim was simply to make the best wines possible," he recalls.

Grosset's Renault 12 doubled as a delivery vehicle, capable of carrying 16 cases of wine. With no vineyards of his own he purchased the best fruit he could afford before planting Polish Hill in 1986 and Springvale in 2000. Planting continues to this day.

"It takes time, devotion and attention to detail to produce beautiful wine, especially when you’re a small family-run operation." says Grosset, who has been a leader in many fields including the introduction of screw cap closures and certified organic and biodynamic vineyards.

Annual production is capped at 11,000 cases and just 25% is exported despite significant international demand.

The new riesling releases are the 2020 Polish Hill ($65), 2020 Springvale ($47) and 2020 Alea ($42). 

My samples arrived today. I'll add tasting notes as soon as possible.  

Who wants to be a millionaire? Meet the finest wine estate in Africa

South Africa's wine regions are among the most spectacular in the world. The wines are improving all the time and the service at cellar doors in second to none.

Whether you visit Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, or one of the more remote areas, you are guaranteed an excellent experience.

Stellenbosch not only boasts world-class wineries but is home to one of the world's great universities, as well as art, culture and scenery.

It is also home to Delaire Graff Estate, with 20 hectares of vines and recently named as the best vineyard destination in Africa.

The first-ever virtual vineyards awards recognised the top 50 wine farms from around the world.

Delaire Graff took 14th spot in a field of over 3500 nominees and top spot in Africa.

Nestled at the crest of panoramic Helshoogte Mountain Pass, above the Stellenbosch valleys, Delaire Graff produces cabernet, shiraz, sauvignon blancs, rosé, chardonnay and chenin blanc while boasting two on-site restaurants with high-end dining at Delaire Graff Restaurant and Asian-inspired cuisine at Indochine (below).

Striking Cape Dutch architecture meets African artefacts and styling, while the estate's lodges offer privacy and exclusivity for those wishing to spend a night or two.

The accommodation (17 lodges and one villa) is part of the exclusive Relais & Chateaux group and prices start from an eye-watering $1,350 per night, rising stratospherically to the owner's villa for around $30,000 a night - although it does sleep eight in style. 

Each lodge has its own private heated plunge pool.

The estate’s gardens are a celebration of natural wonder. More than 350 indigenous plants and flowers are artfully arranged.

Each piece of art on the walls and gardens has been hand-picked by owner Laurence Graff from his personal collection.

There is also a wine lounge, a luxe private swimming pool and, of course, a luxury spa facility - all a short drive from Cape Town. 

South Africa, and the Cape winelands in particular, are one of my favourite spots to visit. Hint. Hint.

See www.delaire.co.za/ and www.visitstellenbosch.org.

France and Britain in new Covid-19 war of words

First it was the ongoing Brexit "negotiations". Now Britain is involved in a new travel war of words with France.

It was announced yesterday that anyone arriving into the UK from France after 4am on Saturday would have to be placed in immediate quarantine.

Don't ask me how it has taken the Brits so long to bring in this measure - they appear to be governed by a bunch of moronic trouser ferrets.

Anyway, the French have taken umbrage (not for the first time, it must be said) with French junior minister for European affairs Clément Beaune Tweeting: "A British decision that we regret and which will lead to a measure of reciprocity, hoping that things will return to normal as soon as possible."

French authorities could now insist UK arrivals to France would need to self-isolate for 14 days which, along with the UK government's new ruling, would make travel between both countries unlikely for most people, Travel Mole reported.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps insisted the UK government had no choice, after France reported a 66% increase in new coronavirus cases over the past week, with a daily average of four times the figures in May.

France has declared Paris and the area around Marseille as coronavirus 'red zones'.

Shapps said: "It's a dynamic situation, and I don't think that anybody would want us to do anything other than protect public health and public safety.

"That does mean where we see countries breach a certain level of cases ... then we have no real choice but to act."

There were reports of Brits scrambling to ports and train departure points in a bid to get back the UK before the Saturday 4am deadline.

Trade bodies have responded with frustration at the government's latest quarantine list announcement, which has also seen five other countries added: the Netherlands, Malta, Monaco, Turks & Caicos and Aruba.

Airlines UK Chief Executive Tim Alderslade said: "It's another devastating blow to the travel industry already reeling from the worst crisis in its history."

It is estimated that there are about 160,000 British holidaymakers currently in France.

Acclaimed chef bounces back after financial failure

It hasn't taken long for chef James Viles to bounce back after his much-acclaimed Biota Dining eatery failed financially.

The Bowral two-hat restaurant was weighed down with liabilities of $761,708 and had just $698 in the bank when it slipped into liquidation a couple of months ago.

Viles, however, is now the new executive chef at Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, the ultra-luxe, conservation-based resort in the Greater Blue Mountains.

Viles has worked alongside chefs including two-star Michelin chef Hans Haas of Tantris in Munich and Alain Ducasse at Spoon in Hong Kong.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with the talented James Viles to introduce exciting new menus and food adventures at the resort,” said Tim Stanhope, general manager of Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley.

“Our shared vision is for Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley to be recognised as one of Australia’s culinary must-visit destinations, for local and international guests alike.”

Viles opened Biota Dining in Bowral in 2011. The restaurant was named Regional Restaurant of the Year in 2014 and 2015 in the Good Food Guide and held its two-hat status for eight years.

“I am delighted to be joining the team at Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley,” Viles said in a press release that completely ignored the implosion of Biota Dining.

“I’m overjoyed to be doing what I love, which is creating beautiful, authentic food and exciting dining experiences for guests. The resort’s passion for sustainability is something that I share, and I’m looking forward to working with some of Australia’s best regional producers and artisans in and around the Blue Mountains.”

For reservations or more information about Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley, visit www.oneandonlyresorts.com/wolgan-valley

China slaps bans on airlines after Covid-19 breaches

Chinese aviation regulators have suspended three airlines after positive Covid-19 cases were found in passengers on their flights.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China said there were six positive cases each on inbound Shanghai flights operated by Etihad Airways and China Eastern Airways.

A SriLankan Airlines service from Colombo to Shanghai carried 23 positive cases.

All flights took place in the first week of August.

Shanghai flights from overseas by Etihad and China Eastern have been suspended for one week, while SriLankan was hit with a four-week ban for having more than 10 passengers who transgressed.