On behalf of the WineBox Co. team and our clients, we wish you the best for the Easter period and celebrations.
Drink responsibly, but drink deliciously!
Archive for March, 2010
Google ‘quits’ China
2010
03.26
03.26
On a completely un-wine-related topic:
In the following article, co-founder of Google Sergey Brin explains that part of the reason Google decided to cease operation within China was a result of childhood memories in his native country, the Soviet Union. These memories are all sad ones.
As proud business people and advocates of ethical business practices, WineBox Co. commends Google and we indeed commend Sergey Brin for sharing his memories and using his position of power in the corporate world to make a clear, definitive statement that will hopefully be the first step in guiding China and other like countries along a path of true democracy and recognition of important basic human rights.
Bravo.
Taxing wine on volume not value?
2010
03.24
03.24
According to the Northern Territory News today, the wine industry has fears over the new tax structure that is likely to be adopted by the Commonwealth Government this year.
As part of the restructuring, wines may* be taxed on a ‘volume’ basis, instead of the ‘dollar value’ of the quantity being sold. This will cause injury (though I use that term loosely) to those winemakers who sell products like cask wine. Products that are currently inexpensive to buy in bulk (like cask wine), will be subject to higher tax, due to their larger volume (compared to single bottles, i.e. 750mL).
Some organisations and spokespeople are arguing the move will help curb inappropriate drinking behaviours, particularly in the Northern Territory. In some cases, it would more than double the price per standard drink of cask wine. Further, cask wine is often the drink of choice by alcoholics and the homeless, because of its inexpensive nature. If you to apply demographic measures, it might very well be possible to show how this tax change would correspond to improved drinking patterns or indeed limit excessive drinking in low socio-economic demographics. However, that is not the main concern I personally have.
If you think the ‘average joe’ might not be affected by the price hike, think again. It will mean that sensible businesses who use bulk wine for commercial purposes, like restaurants, will be slogged with greater expense. Greater expense for them, pretty much means greater expense for you when you dine out. The cost to make Jus (that’s restaurant “gravy” for the uninitiated) will double. Many restaurants are already struggling to make ends meet due to various industry afflictions in the past few years. Any added expenses on the operators of restaurants could, over time, force even more to close their doors. Not really a win-win situation unfortunately.
As for those who enjoy boutique or premium wines, well, you hit a stroke of luck. You’ll pay less tax on treasured bottles, while reaping the same return on your bottles as investments, and tax any entitlements for such.
Is Australia leaning towards the old American model, where policy works to protect the interests of the already wealthy, to the detriment of lower socio-economic classes?
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*The Treasury today would not confirm the claim that the new tax measures are under discussion in Parliament, or that they will be adopted. This denial was shrouded in media claims that this was in fact the case.
A “challenging vintage” – Granite Belt 2010
2010
03.15
03.15
Well, after a little debate it seems that the Granite Belt’s 2010 vintage could be proving a “challenging” vintage.
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But what does that mean, you ask?
In the words of this author, a challenging vintage could be constituted by a number of pre-vinification issues including weather, disease and climate. It is unlikely that any issue which is not widely attributable to the entire region would be accepted as a problem affecting that vintage (at least for the most part). A challenging vintage is one that may or may not produce overall lesser quality wines than previous vintages in that region. When met with appropriate strategies, even the most difficult of vintages can produce absolutely awe-inspiring wines. It is important to note that a challenging vintage does not mean it is a “bad” or “not great” vintage. Those categorisations can only be determined once the final wine is presented to the market, since much can change during the vinification process.
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In 2010, it seems that the early onset and ripening of some white grapes was lucky. If the grapes had been allowed to ripen for longer, with the increased rainfall and humidity, it would be unlikely that the vines would have responded very well, particularly the chardonnay grapes which require some sunlight (though minimal) to ripen and create the full-bodied flavours you would expect in an Australian chardonnay. There would also have been a fear of botrytis setting in – though this seems to have been averted in the cooler Stanthorpe wineries.
The reds have been somewhat fortunate. Ripening later due to the cold weather, we are expecting that the wines will exhibit softer shades of flavour in both intensity and character. However, it also means that some of the grapes had to be removed (in some cases whole bunches) because of problems with rot and mildew.
Hopefully the Granite Belt winegrowers have been prudent in their vineyard this past few months and we will still see an exceptional Queensland vintage from 2010. However, it might mean that the red wines produced this year will not follow closely along the same style lines as previous vintages, which may disappoint some, while pleasing others. Only time will tell.
Good luck to all winemakers for the coming year of maturation in barrel, tank and bottle.
Wine marketing in Queensland
2010
03.12
03.12
WineBox Co. will be hosting an open chamber discussion on the future of Qld wine marketing from 2011 onwards.
The event will be held at Freestyle Tout West End on Tuesday 13th April from 4pm.
To register your interest or to seek more information, contact Daniel on 0434 145 881 or daniel [at] danieljess . com (format address appropriately before sending!)
Salut!
Law Suit – Pinot Noir – Fake – California
2010
03.04
03.04
It seems that a class action suit is being brought in California for the alleged illegal selling of “Pinot Noir” based wine that was imported from France. It is alleged illegal because the wine inside the bottle is alleged to not be Pinot Noir – as per the label.
Under the various labelling and sales laws in both France and the USA, this is an incredibly serious offence and the charges being raised include: “false advertising, unfair business practices, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, (and) … unjust enrichment” (Brian Levine – Kinsgley & Kingsley) – quote courtesy of News.com.au (http://www.news.com.au/business/breaking-news/duped-wine-drinkers-file-us-lawsuit-over-fake-pinot-noir/story-e6frfkur-1225836992594)
We will follow the law suit with poised attention and notify our winemakers of the outcome.
Chilean wines – Earthquake
2010
03.03
03.03
We want to send our prayers and thoughts to our Chilean counterparts and friends and hope that you are all safe and well.
There have been reports of significant loss of wine storage in Chile, however this is yet to be confirmed. Stay tuned!
Cabernet sauvignon and chocolate
2010
03.01
03.01
Yes, it’s a tried and true food/wine match.
Cabernet sauvignon from cool-warm climate regions oaked in French oak seem to match the best – avoiding the sweet overtones that normally come from extended American oak contact during maturation.
Try a beetroot and dark chocolate torte with a glass of 2005 Robert Channon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon. You will not be disappointed. That is, unless you don’t like chocolate. To which end, we can no longer be friends… I’m sorry. That’s the way it is, ok.