With the Tasmanian Unbottled roadshow to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne each year, and more producers sending samples and receiving interstate media exposure, the local industry today does a much better promotional job to interstate consumers than it used to. And events such as Hobart’s recent Cool Climate Symposium generate a swathe of international reportage on the Tasmanian wine story. But where we still fall short, I believe, is in telling or selling that story to tourists once they get here, writes Graeme Phillips in The Mercury.

Mudgee suffers because it has never been promoted well. But things are changing. With the canny and experienced Oatley family – founders of Rosemount – investing in the area, Mudgee’s profile is rising. And with some smart young winemakers, there is a sense of new energy. It is a shame Michael Slater, who was doing great things at Thistle Hill and Erudgere, has left to work in the Riverina, but others are running with the Mudgee torch, writes Huon Hooke in the Sydney Morning Herald.

If you want to take in the experience of wine just that little bit more, maybe understand the different grape varieties or learn about the arts and crafts of winemaking, getting out to the regions where it all happens is one of the most satisfying ways to become that little bit more savvy. You might even get to learn more about your own likes and dislikes when it comes to flavours and styles of wines. And you certainly will come to a greater appreciation of how much effort goes into every bottle, writes News Limited’s national wine writer Tony Love.

Changing consumption habits continue to delay the recovery in the principal producing countries, such as those in the EU where consumption fell by almost one million hectolitres in 2011, reports Teatro Naturale International.

One of my biggest fears when I first started judging at wine shows was that I’d have to sit next to a famous wine person and be expected to converse in a clever and intellectual manner.
So when Larry McKenna himself sidled up as I stood at the bain marie attempting to grab a greasy lamb shank for lunch, I clammed up completely, writes Yvonne Lorkin in the Star Canterbury.

With a fast-growing reputation, Kangaroo Island’s Dudley Peninsula has a lot to crow about.
“We’re very parochial around here – we think this end of the island is the ant’s pants,” says Dudley Peninsula grapegrower Jeff Howard, told The Advertiser. And with award-winning wines and a fast-growing reputation as the next big thing in Australian wine, Kangaroo Island’s Dudley Peninsula has a lot to crow about.

Pitching against 700 wines, Clearview Estate’s premium red, Hawke’s Bay Enigma Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 is now one of 24 of this country’s leading wines being enjoyed by Air New Zealand business premier customers around the world. This was the winery’s first foray into the airline’s twice annual wine selection process, reports Voxy News.

Pitching against 700 wines, Clearview Estate’s premium red, Hawke’s Bay Enigma Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 is now one of 24 of this country’s leading wines being enjoyed by Air New Zealand business premier customers around the world. This was the winery’s first foray into the airline’s twice annual wine selection process, reports Voxy News.

New Zealand is exporting more bulk wine to be bottled overseas, putting the industry’s reputation at risk, writes Owen Hembry in New Zealand Herald. The big city bustle fades with the corporate skyline as the ferry nears Waiheke Island. A short drive later a dirt track opens out to an amphitheatre of vines ready for the next grape harvest at Destiny Bay Vineyards.

One of my biggest fears when I first started judging at wine shows was that I’d have to sit next to a famous wine person and be expected to converse in a clever and intellectual manner.
So when Larry McKenna himself sidled up as I stood at the bain marie attempting to grab a greasy lamb shank for lunch, I clammed up completely,writes Yvonne Lorkin in Bay of Plenty Times.