Victoria
Over the Shoulder – Helene’s favourite Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley in Australia
Vor einigen Monaten hatten Freunde zu einer Nachahmung des legendären ‘Duck & Pinot walk’ des australischen Kochlegende Chong Liews aufgerufen. Inhalt dieser tagesfüllenden Aktivität war, die besten Entengerichte in Adelaides China Town in Kombination mit australischem Pinot Noir zu probieren. Ganz nach australischer BYO Kultur hatte jeder mindestens eine Flasche seiner Wahl mitzubringen.
Pinot Noir from Yarra Valley
Wie man sich denken kann, kam da recht was zusammen. Dennoch waren wir uns alle einig, dass eine Kombination absolut gewonnen hatte: Bei ‘Over the Shoulder’ aus dem Yarra Valley mit Peking Duck Pancakes schlugen einfach die Funken.
Woche für Woche habe ich im Anschluss versucht, bei meinen Freitagseinkauf auf dem Adelaider Central Market mehr von diesem wunderbaren Wein zu finden. Vergeblich – Immer ausverkauft! Nun hatte ich endlich Glück und habe mich auch gleich entsprechend eingedeckt.
_______________________________________________________________________
A few months ago, I got to know a great Pinot Noir at an informal “Pinot & Duck” tasting at China town in Adelaide: ‘Over the Shoulder’ from the Yarra Valley!
Since then, I have been desperately looking for it all over Adelaide. Finally, I had luck at the Central Market bottle shop, where it is usually sold out week after week. No surprise!
Helene Luckner from Adelaide
d’Arenberg halbiert Gewinn – still beats the big boys in wine Down Under
Es gibt gute und schlechte Nachrichten für einen meiner Favoriten aus South Australia – der d’Arenberg Winery. Jüngst in den USA zur Winery of the Year vom ‘Wine & Spirits Magazine’ gewählt mussten die stolzen Osbornes in dieser Woche verkünden, dass die Gewinne in dem im Juli abgelaufenen Geschäftsjahr dramatisch eingebrochen sind.
d'Arenberg Cellar Door and Restaurant in McLaren Vale
Das ist nicht neu, denn sämtliche Grossen der australischen Weinzunft haben derzeit Probleme. Die Foster’s Group verkündet ja schon beinahe traditionell jedes Quartal, dass ihre Weinsparte verlustreich ist. Australian Vintage (zuvor noch als McGuigan Wines bekannt) berichtete gar dreistellige Millionenverluste. In der letzten Woche ‘erwischte’ es mit De Bortoli eine feste Grösse aus dem viktorianischen Yarra Valley.
Und jetzt eben d’Arenberg – mit einem feinen Unterschied: in dieser familiengeführten Winery aus dem McLaren Vale werden eben auch in einem schlechten Jahr noch schwarze Zahlen geschrieben und nicht, wie bei den vielen börsennotierten Wineries seit Jahren rote Zahlen. Der Gewinn ist zwar um 50 Prozent eingebrochen, doch neben der Wirtschaftskrise liegt einer der Hauptgründe in der Stärke des australischen Dollars.
____________________________________________________________________________
Global financial crisis – the Australian wine-glut and an extremely strong local currency make life difficult for Australian wineries. D’Arenberg reported a drop of 50% in its annual profit, the big boys from Down Under like Foster’s, Australian Vintage or De Bortoli even reported losses, some of them more than AUD100m strong.
You need deep pockets to survive in the Australian wine trade – or you need an excellent niche strategy with consistently high achieving wines, such as delivered by the best Boutique wineries Down Under.
Michael Brecht
Foster’s forms Joint Venture to get rid of smaller wine brands
If you can’t sell them, you have to find a different solution. And this is what Australian beer and wine giant Foster’s has just done with the smaller end of its wine business.
Foster's Headoffice in Melbourne
David Dearie, Managing Director, Wine Australia and New Zealand today announced Foster’s intention to transfer 13 Australian wine brands to a joint venture with Vok Beverages Pty Ltd (Vok Beverages). Foster’s will hold a 50% interest in the joint venture company.
But who is Vok Beverages? They claim to be the exclusive Australian distributor for a number of Diageo brands which include Ruski, Bullet Bourbon, J&B Whisky, Dimple or Pimms. The company also distributes a range of proprietary brands such as Three Oaks Cider, Infused Rush, HI NRG, VOK Liqueurs and Bickford’s non alcoholic cordials.
So, in the future, these guys will assume responsibility for the marketing, sales and management of the thirteen former Foster’s wine brands as early as from the 1st of December 2009.
The brands to be transferred to the joint venture are Queen Adelaide, Half Mile Creek, Minchinbury, Matthew Lang, Andrew Garrett, Maglieri of McLaren Vale, Rouge Homme, Great Western, Cartwheel, Fishers Circle, Galway Pipe, Boronia and Yarra Ridge. Foster’s intends to continue to produce wine for the joint venture and celebrates this strategic move by stating: “this joint venture allows Foster’s to focus on wine making, distribution and marketing of its core portfolio.” The thirteen brands above now know at least, that they are not considered ‘core’ any more.
___________________________________________________
Der australische Bier und Weingigant Foster’s hat heute bekannt gegeben, dass er 13 seiner kleineren Marken in ein neues Joint Venture mit Vok Beverages ausgliedern moechte. Dieses ist ein weiterer Schritt auf dem langen Weg, das Weingeschäft fuer Foster’s wieder in profitablere Bahnen zu lenken.
In seinem letzten Geschäftsjahr hat Foster’s bereits mehr als $278 Millionen im Weinsegment abgeschrieben. Das Biergeschäft hingegen läuft weiterhin vorzüglich für Foster’s.
Clos Pierre Pinot Noir 2008
We had a report on its former yearling the 2005 Pinot Noir a few months ago: we called it an entry Pinot Noir that was hard to beat.
Clos Pierre Pinot Noir 2008
To tell you the truth: the 2008 yearling is exactly that: a great wine with wine making expertise in the fifth generation from a great vineyard in Victoria. With 13.2% we are talking about a Pinot Noir that holds back where necessary and still allows to enjoy a serious drop.
________________________________________
Ein prima Pinot Noir aus Victoria ist der 2008 Clos Pierre des französischen Weinmakers Pierre Naigeon – der Wein überzeugt durch seine fruchtigen Aromas, seine Kirsch und Pflaumenaromen und seine ausgewogene Länge bedingt durch diverse Monate in Eichenfässern.
Lassen Sie diesen Wein eine Stunde lang offen stehen und geniessen Sie ihn zu Ente oder einem asiatischen Fondue.
Tasting of 2009 Shiraz biodynamic wines – at the Lethbridge Winery in Victoria
These are great names in Australian winemaking: Jasper Hill, M. Chapoutier, Castagna, Sorrenberg and Lethbridge – and all of these have something in common: they are all growing biodynamic Shiraz.
Biodynamic Wines in Victoria
And they are all available in one tasting taking place at Lethbridge Wines on October the 4th.
This tasting follows the theme ‘Biodynamic Shiraz around the world’.
At this event you will have the opportunity to compare a range of biodynamic Shiraz including the wines listed above.
Best is to book your seat now as the places are strictly limited: more info here.
Details of this event
Where: Lethbridge Wines, 74 Burrows Rd Lethbridge
Date: 4th October
Time: 2:00 pm
Cost: $75/person
______________________________________________________
Sollten Sie in der Naehe des viktorianischen Lethbridge an der Great Ocean Road sein, so schauen Sie am 4. Oktober ruhig einmal bei Lethbridge Wines vorbei.
Eien Verkostung diverser biodynamischer Shiraz Weine klingt sehr verlockend, vor allem wenn die Namen Lethbridge, Sorrenberg oder Jasper Hill im Spiel sind. Bitte zuvor anmelden, denn die Plaetze sind rar.
How to export wine to China as an Australian Boutique Winery
Today’s guest article was written by Kellie Rose, she is Marketing Manager at Longfellows Group a wine export management company based in Melbourne Victoria. Her report tells us about the dos and don’ts when exporting to China, the country only recently joined the ranks of Top Ten wine drinking countries.
Tasting Australian Wine
Every week we have requests from small wine producers whom have decided that they want to sell their wine to the rest of the world. This has either stemmed from a want and or need to see their brand globally or from tourists whom have visited the cellar door or tasted the producers wine in a restaurant whilst on holiday and subsequently have written an email requesting where they can they buy your wine?
Not every winery is going to be suitable for the export wine market. At present the place to be seen is China. Chinese distributors are seeking low price point wines with interesting and beautifully presented packaging. The Chinese I have spoken to see Australia as a ‘fresh, new, clean and green place’. Can your Label and bottle project this? China is still considered to be an emerging market for wine imports, but the emerging new rich generation is driving the economy in China and this generation is heavily influenced by foreign countries.
China in general has three rules when it comes to getting your wine into the marketplace, I call them the ‘PAV’ Effect;
1. Price
2. Appearance
3. Volume
China is an emerging wine culture hot spot and everyone is jostling for a spot on the starting line. For a boutique producer this may not be your market as the ‘PAV’ effect could just end up hurting your bottom line – If you are looking for global recognition to your brand in particular the China market place then hence the price, its got to be good booze at the lowest possible price – you must be able to consistently provide the same wine in the same volumes container after container and your wine has to be beautifully presented we are talking great label, best bottle and nicest possible closure.
The emerging Chinese wine drinker is young, hip and socially aware in China this generation has the most disposable income, loves to impress their friends and family and will buy luxury items simply to impress, He or She is a market follower not a market leader.
China’s wine culture is still emerging, and careful relationship management with your Chinese colleagues is essential for success, and this is where some small producers can come unstuck. It is essential you have a good export manager in place to screen requests and to investigate thoroughly any potential importers or distributors.
All in all for some boutique producers it may be best not to seek the global market; essentially global marketing could end up costing your pocket and your brand.
Thank you Kellie for this post – we found it really interesting and we are sure, that our readers on downunderwines will enjoy it too.
___________________________________________________________________
Unser heutiger Gastbeitrag stammt von Kellie Rose, Marketing Assistentin bei der Longfellows Group in Melbourne, Viktoria. Der Beitrag handelt von den Aufgaben beim Export nach China, bei Nichtbeachtung dieser Punkte kann eine kleinere bis mittelgrosse Winery schnell sehr viel Geld verlieren und ihre eigene Marke beschaedigen.
Viel Spass bei der Lektuere,
Anabel
Find the right tag and win a case of sixfootsix wines from Austins Wines in Geelong
We found a nice challenge with an excellent reward in a newsletter of Victorian Austins Wines today. Their wines include the sixfootsix label, one of our first posts judged their Pinot Noirs to be a very nice drop, read more about its win in our 3-Pinot challenge here (sadly in German language only).
sixfootsix Pinot Noir from Geelong
And now the boys from Austin Wines need your help: their sixfootsix range is crying out for a tagline and they are asking for your creative input. Find the right tagline and win a mixed case of sixfootsix wines (of course).
The brief is wide open. Whether you call it a tagline, a positioning statement or a catch-phrase – Austins Wines are asking for a short, memorable and relevant string of words to reflect all that’s good about sixfootsix. We liked the wine, so now you’ve got to help them find the right tagline!
Simply eMail your suggestion (one each) to info@austinswines.com.au by the 31st of August. Scott Austin himself will be the judge and the winner will be announced in a future newsletter.
Downunderwines supports these grass roots branding efforts, this is why we published that competition here on our blog, good luck to those of you participating! And don’t forget to let us know, if you win: we count on you!
_______________________________________________________________
Die Austins Winery aus dem Pinot Anbaugebiet Geelong in Viktoria benoetigt Ihre Mithilfe.
Die Weine des sixfootsix Labels gewinnen einen Wettbewerb nach dem anderen und doch fehlt den Inhabern ein Slogan, der diese Marke erklaert. Auf geht’s, vielleicht faellt Ihnen ja etwas Originelles dazu ein, ich bin mir sicher, dass wir unter den downunderwines Lesern eine Menge kreative Koepfe haben. Und lassen Sie uns doch wissen, falls Sie der glueckliche Gewinner sind, schliesslich wollen wir uns alle mit Ihnen freuen.
Ihr Michael Brecht
Australia’s strategy for the German Prowein Wine and Spirits Trade Fair 2010
A few weeks ago, five countries considered as ‘New World’ wine producers joined forces to form the New World Wine Alliance: Argentina, Chile, South Africa, California and our Kiwi friends from across the Tasman announced to book an own exhibition hall at next year’s Prowein in Düsseldorf. The German wine media had a critical look at this cooperation, but one major question was left unanswered:
Quo vadis Australian Wine
What is Australia’s strategy for the coming year(s) and why aren’t they part of the New World Wine Alliance?
We have been trying to dig deeper here Down Under, especially as the bureau of AWBC in London didn’t provide any more insight into this subject. So far!
Last weekend, we finally received an indication about what Australia will do next year in the capital of the Rheinland: Wine Australia announced in its newsletter that Prowein 2010 ‘will see a return to a coordinated Wine Australia stand’.
The approach will see Australian wineries appear in a ‘country-specific commitment that will highlight both mainstream and fine wine opportunities for the European market’. The plan is that next year’s presence at Prowein will feature amongst others regions from the Barossa, McLaren Vale or the Hunter as well as new varieties and blends to emphasise on ‘value and interest’.
Back to basics is our interpretation of this move – let us highlight Australian wine regions, their particular differences and strengths. Based on this move – we really understand why Australia didn’t participate in the New World Alliance – there is an Australia Alliance on the way to Düsseldorf with enough variety, strength and sparkle to bring across.
_________________________________________________________________________
Vor wenigen Wochen wurde mit recht grossem Presse-Echo eine enge Kooperation von fünf weinerzeugenden Ländern der so genannten Neuen Welt angekündigt wird, die New World Wine Alliance. Die deutschen Weinmedien fragten zu jener Zeit, welchen Standpunkt denn Australien zu dieser Neugründung einnehme, die Antwort ist nun klar: Australien wird mit einer eher traditionellen Kampagne und einer Konzentration auf die regionalen Unterschiede der hiesigen Winzer in Düsseldorf an den Start gehen.
Aus unserer Sicht eine gute Wahl, denn Australien’s Weingegenden sind so unterschiedlich und einzigartig, da wäre es schwer, diese Vielfalt im Konzert mit anderen Neue Welt Produzenten herüberzubringen.
Go Australia – Ihr Michael Brecht
