Matthew Jukes, wine writer and author, was last night named ‘Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK’ at the Australia Day Foundation Dinner at Australia House. Presented annually to a non-Australian resident who has displayed ‘Australian characteristics’ or has contributed significantly to Australia, Matthew Jukes’ long-term passion for, and on-going commitment to, the Australian wine industry has been recognised with this extremely prestigious award.

However, it is not just his support of the wine industry that has led to this honour. Matthew is a keen supporter of homeless charities around the world. He is the Patron and Founder of Touch Wine and Wine Rules, annual events which raise money for the homeless charities The Hutt St Centre in Adelaide, South Australia and St Mary’s House of Welcome in Melbourne, Victoria. Bringing together two of Matthew’s greatest passions, rugby and wine, these events have so far raised over $700,000 AUD for charity.

Matthew is in good company in receiving this award as previous winners include Sir David Attenborough OM CH CVO CBE FRS, broadcaster and naturalist; The Lord Goodlad, former High Commissioner to Australia and Baroness Susan Greenfield CBE, renowned scientist, writer and member of the House of Lords. The award was presented by Hon Kevin Rudd, Philip Aiken, Chairman of the Australia Day Foundation and His Excellency John Dauth, High Commissioner for Australia. On presenting the award, Hon Kevin Rudd said “Thank you for everything that you do for our country” and Philip Aiken said “This award is exceptionally well deserved”.

Matthew says, “I am absolutely thrilled to be have been given this award. I am honoured to have the opportunity to work with such fantastic winemakers. Their attitude and energy is unfaltering and it ensures that year after year, Australia makes some of the world’s finest wines. Undeterred by climate change, difficult exchange rates, forest fires and natural disasters such as droughts and flooding, they continue to excel in their field and it is for this reason that I am delighted to champion their outstanding work. I am delighted to call myself an ‘honorary Australian!”.

Other winners on the night include ‘Australian of the Year in the UK’, which was won by theatre legend Barry Humphries and ‘Young Australian Achiever of the Year in the UK’, which was won by Fashion Consultant and Trend Spotter, Yasmin Sewell.

About Matthew Jukes

Voted the most influential wine writer in the UK by Off Licence News in May 2011; a past winner of the IWSC Trophy for ’Wine Communicator of the Year’ and also winner of the Australian Food Media Award for ‘Best Food and Wine Writing’ with Tyson Stelzer for ‘Taste Food & Wine’. Author of thirteen best-selling books and the weekly wine writer for Weekend Magazine, Daily Mail (9m readers) since 1999 and also MoneyWeek. Award-winning restaurant wine list writer for over two decades working with Bibendum Restaurant, Chutney Mary, Veeraswamy, Amaya and Smith of Smithfields as well as founder of the private wine club Quintessentially Wine worldwide. Palate behind the annual 100 Best Australian Wines List and the 100 Best Roadshow. Creator with Tyson Stelzer of The Great Australian Red – the quest to find the best Cabernet/Shiraz, ‘the blend that defines Australia’. He is one of the world’s leading experts on Australian wine. www.matthewjukes.com

Chasing a bottle for Christmas but not sure what to choose or where to find it? Looking for the best deal but don’t have time to wade through the sea of catalogues and web sites? Better not cry, better not pout! Introducing the very first Wine Taste Weekly Christmas Buyer’s Guide! More than 100 sparkling, white, red, rosé, dessert and fortified wines from $5 to $500. More than half are less than $20 and more than a quarter are under $10!

This is not just another 100 best wines of the year. This is your hotlist of nothing but the best deals on the finest wines right now. Every Christmas catalogue has been dissected, every web site has been plundered and every competitor has been cross-checked to bring you nothing but the very best bargains, fully up-to-date in December 2011.

No matter who you’re spoiling or how much or how little you’re spending, you’ll find the perfect wine for everyone in this list.

The list is free for everyone, so share the love.

Download here.

World Wine Discovery – World Tour – February 2012

World Wine Discovery is back by popular demand! Welcome to your personal world tour of the wines of France, Germany, Italy, Australia and New Zealand. We will explore riesling from Germany, sauvignon blanc from Sancerre, chardonnay from Chablis, pinot noir from Burgundy, shiraz from the Rhone Valley, cabernet sauvignon from Bordeaux and other key white and red varieties from everywhere. Each will be tasted alongside wines of the same varieties from different regions of Australia and New Zealand. Along the way, we will discover how to taste wine, how grapes are grown, how wine is made and how to serve wine.

There will be an afternoon of white wine discovery on Saturday 4 February and red wine discovery on Saturday 11 February 2012.

$125 per session or $200 for both sessions (save $50!).

Buy your gift voucher or ticket now

4 and 11 February 2012, 2:30-5pm
Wine Press Tasting Room | 14 Andrea St Tarragindi
$125 per person or $200 for two sessions
Numbers strictly limited
Print-ready gift voucher will be available for download upon ordering.

View other World Wine Discovery events

What is everyone saying about World Wine Discovery?

“Since World Wine Discovery I’ve had a new perspective on every glass of wine.” – Rob

“It was great to learn how to taste, what to look for in the wines and how to describe them,
even though I’m still very new to expressing what I smell and taste.” – Helen

“The social aspect was fantastic! It was very valuable to discuss the wines and hear a mixture of
different opinions.” – Holly

“Great explanations of wine regions and wine production.” – Peter

“A fantastic learning experience for those of us who are keen to know more about wine.” – Steve

“The group discussion was very informative and it broadened my knowledge of wine from all
perspectives.” – Mike

“It gave me the background and knowledge base which was lacking for me.” – Jody

“An excellent evening! I really enjoyed the chance to taste similar wines to compare flavours.” – Anon

A call to winemakers to join me in support of East Africa famine crisis victims through a donation for every case of wine sold in end of year newsletters and cellar door Christmas offers.

The worst famine in decades

The UN estimates that 11.5 million people are in serious danger and tens of thousands have already died in the worst drought in the Horn of Africa in more than sixty years.

I received a letter this week on behalf of the Dadaab Refugee camp in Kenya, the largest refugee camp in the world, calling for urgent assistance.

Tragically, many children have not survived the 1000 kilometre trek from famine-devastated Somalia. Of those who make it, half suffer malnutrition and need urgent feeding. When children are this weak, life is counted in hours. The camp death rate is six times what it was previously.

The UN has named this “the most severe food security emergency in the world today.”

When families escape war and famine, children are often separated from their parents, or orphaned. It doesn’t cost a lot for us to provide food and support for these families.

How can I help?

2011 has been the toughest year for Australian wine in decades, but compared with East Africa, we are very fortunate.  I am inviting winemakers to join me in making a contribution to the East Africa famine crisis for every case of wine sold in end of year newsletters or cellar door Christmas offers.

A small donation for every case of wine can go a long way. For example:

- $1 buys 9 child meals of maize porridge
- $2 buys maize porridge to feed a child for one week
- $3 buys 2kg of maize four to make high energy porridge for 27 rations
- $5 buys 45 child-meals of maize porridge
- $10 supplies 30 children with 3 meals of maize porridge
- $15 buys 10kg maize flour to make high energy porridge for 135 rations
- $20 buys 181 child meals of maize porridge
- $22 supports a foster family for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand clothes

These examples are based on the work of Australian Lutheran World Service. Donations will be used where needed most urgently to respond to the Africa famine crisis. Any amounts raised beyond what is needed for this project will be used to support other relief and development projects in the region.

What do I need to do?

1. Determine a contribution per case that you are comfortable with advertising in your newsletter or cellar door offer. I can assist with any images or further information that you require.

2. Advise me of your plan so I can promote it in my writing about the Australian wine trade’s response.

3. After your promotion is complete (31 December 2011 or any date you determine), make your donation to the Australian Lutheran World Service Africa Famine Crisis Appeal.  This is a direct donation by cheque, money order, secure web payment or credit card. You may choose to donate to any other appeal, but I recommend the ALWS appeal as they contribute directly to the team  managing the Dadaab Refugee Camp in Kenya.

4. Donations $2 and over are tax-deductible.

Read more

www.alws.org.au/urgent-action.html

Supporters

Vinteloper Wines – $25 from the sale of each case sold through the newsletter for the rest of 2011,
each of which will support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-
hand clothes, as well as 27 meals for children.

Grosset Wines – $22 from the sale of each of 500 cases of Grosset Gaia 2008, each of which will
support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand clothes.

Mount Horrocks Wines – $22 from the sale of each case of Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling, each
of which will support foster families for lost children with a kitchen kit, sleeping mats and second-hand
clothes.

Juniper Estate and Higher Plane Wines – $10 per case sold from both Spring and Christmas
newsletters, to feed 90 children in Africa

Murray Street Vineyards – $5 from every case donated through Christmas promotion period, each
of which will feed 45 children in Africa.

Paxton Vineyards – $1 for every person who visits cellar door during November, each of which will
provide 9 child meals in Africa.

Mike Press Wines – A percentage of sales until the end of December will be donated to the appeal.

Direct Donations

Burge Family Wines

First Drop Wines

Gembrook Hill

Greenock Creek

Kalleske Wines

Noon Winery

WineFront

Wirra Wirra

Media Supporters

Ken Gargett and Spit Bucket

Katrina Holden and Sip Your Style

Anthony Madigan and TWTW and WBM

Gary Walsh, Campbell Mattinson and Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

Peter Bourne

Judy Sarris and Gourmet Traveller Wine

Peter Fuller and Fuller Integrated Marketing Communications

Jeff Gordon

Max Allen

Peter Muscet and Muscet Media

Grant Dodd

Please contact me if you have any queries.

Tyson Stelzer

Introducing World Wine Discovery – Advanced Tasting

World Wine Discoverers who’ve enjoyed an introduction to Australian wines and a world tour of wine styles have asked for more advanced training to hone their tasting skills. If you’re ready to step up, this event is for you! What do wine professionals look for when they taste wine? How do you assess quality? How do wine judges score wines? What makes a wine balanced? What are the common wine faults to beware of? Like all World Wine Discovery courses, this is an interactive tasting session where we will learn by swirling, sipping and spitting together. Unlike our other courses, which focus exclusively on benchmark wines, this course will contrast wines at different quality levels. If you’re ready to step up your wine experience, World Wine Discovery – Advanced Tasting will take you to the next level.

Buy your gift voucher or ticket now

Saturday 6 August 2011, 2:30-5pm
Wine Press Tasting Room | 14 Andrea St Tarragindi
Includes light nibbles
$105 per person
Numbers strictly limited
We will contact you to personalise your gift voucher and arrange delivery

View other World Wine Discovery events

What is everyone saying about World Wine Discovery?

“Since World Wine Discovery I’ve had a new perspective on every glass of wine.” – Rob

“It was great to learn how to taste, what to look for in the wines and how to describe them,
even though I’m still very new to expressing what I smell and taste.” – Helen

“The social aspect was fantastic! It was very valuable to discuss the wines and hear a mixture of
different opinions.” – Holly

“Great explanations of wine regions and wine production.” – Peter

“A fantastic learning experience for those of us who are keen to know more about wine.” – Steve

“The group discussion was very informative and it broadened my knowledge of wine from all
perspectives.” – Mike

“It gave me the background and knowledge base which was lacking for me.” – Jody

“An excellent evening! I really enjoyed the chance to taste similar wines to compare flavours.” – Anon

In its fourth year, The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification highlights New Zealand’s finest 100 Pinot Noir producers and the first ever promotion to five stars!

Tyson Stelzer and Matthew Jukes

The Fourth Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification was developed by Matthew Jukes and Tyson Stelzer to highlight the importance of New Zealand’s finest Pinot Noirs. The classification is awarded based on a rolling average rating of the five most recent vintages. Light font is used to position estates for which we have yet to taste five vintages.

This year, The Great New Zealand Pinot Noir Classification highlights New Zealand’s finest 100 Pinot Noir producers! This list is not compiled to meet a particular number, but it just so happens that there are now precisely 100 New Zealand estates producing this mesmerising grape variety at a level of excellence that we believe is worthy of your attention. This is a monumental number and it represents something of a coming of age for New Zealand Pinot Noir.

Our roll call of heroes featured just forty names in its first year. Many young vineyards have blossomed with another four years of vine age and growers and makers have refined their techniques to new levels of sensitivity and respect for this often temperamental grape.

We are proud to announce the first ever promotion to five stars! Bell Hill Vineyard joins Ata Rangi, Felton Road and Mt Difficulty at the pinnacle of our classification. Marcel Giesen and Sherwyn Veldhulzen’s North Canterbury vineyard is the first outside of Martinborough and Central Otago to achieve this status. With Pegasus Bay and Pyramid Valley hot on their heels at four stars, North Canterbury has now cemented its reputation as a hotbed of some of the finest Pinot Noir south of the equator.

Download The Fourth Great New Zealand Pinot Noir classification

Tyson Stelzer

Schild Estate got caught doing a naughty thing this week. Last year, Schild Estate Shiraz 2008, made from estate vineyard fruit, ranked seventh in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of the year. It sold quickly, so Schild Estate responded by making more – by purchasing and blending wine from other vineyards and bottling it under the same label.

The proverbial hit the fan this week when Wine Spectator published the story (http://www.winespectator.com/webfeature/show/id/44637) and Schild Estate responded with a band-aid solution of offering to affix a “second blend” label to the new batch.

I’ve since received word from Australian winemakers enraged with Schild Estate. One said, “It’s disgusting what they have done, Australia needs NO MORE bad press in the US. I am so angry about it, they have done a heap of damage and I wish we could prosecute them somehow.”

The damage has been done, and it’s too late now to undo it.  The thing that concerns me is that there’s nothing to stop it from happening again.

There is nothing illegal about what Schild Estate has done. There is no breach of the Australian Wine and Brandy Act to bottle two completely different wines under the same label, provided the regions, vintages and varieties are as they are stated on the label.

The ACCC, which enforces the Competition and Consumer Act, may have grounds to respond to a situation on the basis of deceptive advertising if, for instance, one blend had won an award, and a completely different blend then carried the same award. However, there is no precedent for legal action under such a claim in Australia.

Wine Australia General Manager for Compliance and Trade, Steve Guy, explained to me that it would be extremely difficult to mount a legal case because it would be very hard to prove that it was a different wine. Often a sample from the original judging is no longer available, so any form of analytical comparison is impossible. “You would have to be relying on a whistle blower in order to prove it,” he explained, which was the case in the Schild Estate fiasco. This begs the question of how often this occurs undetected – there appears to be little or no incentive for a whistle blower to step forward.

Many Australian wine shows now employ their own audit system, in which show organisers purchase random samples of entries from retail outlets and compare these with the same wines that have been submitted. But even here, if a discrepancy is identified, show organisers have little power to do anything more than disqualify the entry. Only a very small proportion of entries are audited, so the chances of being caught are slim, and the rod is light.

There is a secondary issue here, that it is perfectly legal in Australia to bottle non-estate fruit under an estate label, and this deserves consideration in itself on another occasion. The core of the problem at hand lies in the fact that Australian wine law has nothing to say about the consistency or otherwise of wines bottled under identical labels.

I’m not talking about wineries bottling the same blend in successive batches. Logistics naturally dictate that this is unavoidable in large-scale blends, and if the blend is from the same, original source, I see little problem with this.

Schild is not the first estate to bottle an altogether different wine under the same label. In 2003, Huon Hooke exposed significant batch variation in Jamieson’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 and Shiraz 2001 (Good Living, The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday May 20, 2003), describing the releases of both wines as “significantly lesser wines than those I’d tried some months before, wearing exactly the same labels.” In 2002, McGuigan wines was caught out for entering samples of McGuigan Genus 4 Old Vine Shiraz 2000 into a wine show which differed markedly from the wine later released for public sale.

Australian winemakers and marketers work overtime to build the good reputation of Australian wine on an increasingly challenging global stage. So much good work is undone by incidents like this. The vast majority of winemakers – who continue to do the right and honourable thing – would do well to raise their voices and close the legal loophole that permits this practice.  

Surely this is simply a matter of The Australian Wine and Brandy Act stipulating that different blends under the same brand must be labelled in such a way as to clearly identify successive blends?

Winemakers would do well to campaign for this. Otherwise, what’s to stop it happening again?

An open letter issued to every school principal seeking “assistance and co-operation in not permitting the use, sale or promotion of alcohol products in school fundraising activities” fails to recognise the manner in which young people’s attitudes toward alcohol are developed.

Research indicates that attitudes toward alcohol among children and teenagers are influenced heavily by the examples that they observe.

“Parents who model responsible drinking behaviours have the potential to teach their children the same… Once something is not taboo in a household it reduces the likelihood that it will be abused.” – The Journal of Adolescent Health, 2004.¹

Discouraging the responsible consumption of alcohol among adults of legal drinking age undermines the importance of positive role modelling in developing a cautious and responsible attitude toward alcohol among young people.

It is a tragedy that there are many contexts in Australian society in which irresponsible drinking is modelled by both underage and legal age drinkers, and it is to these situations that greater efforts of authorities must be directed.

Based on ten years of personal experience teaching in Queensland schools, it is my overwhelming experience that school workplace social functions, parent events, wine tastings and fundraisers exemplify some of the more responsible and appropriate contexts of alcohol use in our society.

To ban opportunity for such positive role modelling sends precisely the wrong message to the young people of Australia.

As an active campaigner against teen alcohol abuse in Australia, I have spoken with numerous parent and student groups on this topic over the past decade. Last year I printed 200,000 copies of “A Parents’ Guide to Teen Alcohol and Parties” for circulation to parents through schools across Australia. The very first message in this eight-page publication read:

“As a parent, you play a vital role in influencing your teenager’s use of alcohol. You carry the primary responsibility in discouraging early and excessive use. The single most important thing that you can do is to model safe drinking behaviour. The example you set in where, how and why you use alcohol will have the strongest impact on your teenager’s attitude toward drinking. Be a positive influence. Let them observe you modelling sensible drinking habits.”²

The Australian National Council on Drugs document “School Fundraising and Alcohol” notes that while the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction is currently conducting a study on the Role of Schools in Alcohol Education “the use of alcohol as a fundraising activity has not been canvassed as part of the consultation process.”³ A call to ban alcohol at school fundraising activities appears premature in the absence of such a consultation process.

The problem of teen alcohol abuse in this country has reached epidemic proportions. Every week in Australia, one teenager between the ages of 14 and 17 dies as a result of alcohol abuse⁴. Rates of drinking at harmful levels among 12-17 year olds have doubled in the past two decades⁵. According to the latest research, one in twenty 12-15 year olds engages in regular binge drinking, one in four 16-17 year olds and almost one in two 18-19 year olds⁶. One in two Australian teenagers who get drunk do something they regret⁷.

These statistics are distressing. It’s time more was done to save our young people.

We must begin by addressing the irresponsible use of alcohol, not by banning its responsible use.

Tyson Stelzer

References

1. The Journal of Adolescent Health, http://jahonline.org/

2. http://www.winepress.com.au/brochure.pdf

3. School Fundraising and Alcohol, Australian National Council on Drugs, February 2011.

4. Dr Christine Bennett, Chief Medical Officer, Bupa Australia.

5. Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey 2005.

6. National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2007.

7. National Binge Drinking Campaign Evaluation Survey 2009.