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Food & Beverage

Barossa Valley's Château Tanunda Wins 'Best Producer' in Germany

2024-12-10

Château Tanunda from the Barossa Valley has achieved remarkable international acclaim. It was crowned 'Best Producer Still Wine Australia' at the Berliner Wine Trophy in Germany. This prestigious title is given to a producer who has excelled in both the winter and summer editions of the competition, and Château Tanunda achieved this with a Grand Gold Medal and a total of 16 Gold Medals across both.

Unparalleled Barossa Valley Winemaking on the Global Stage

Winter Edition Triumphs

The Barossa winery was honored with a Grand Gold Medal for its 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 during the winter edition. Additionally, it received Gold Medals for 12 other wines, including the 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021, 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, and wines from various collections like Grand Barossa, Terroirs of the Barossa, and The Château. These medals showcase the winery's exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

The 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 stands out with its rich flavors and complexity, representing the legacy of the Barossa Valley's ancient vines. The 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 also impresses with its depth and character, a testament to the winery's ability to extract the best from mature vines.

Summer Edition Glories

At the latest summer edition, the Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023, and Terroirs of the Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz 2022 (along with two export-only wines) were all awarded Gold Medals. These medals further solidify Château Tanunda's position as a leading producer.

The Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, crafted from selected vineyard sites across the Barossa, exhibits a quintessential Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon profile. Aged in a combination of new and seasoned French oak for 18 months, it develops a palate of blackcurrant and vanilla with vibrant red fruits.

The Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023 is a medium-bodied red that undergoes aging in a combination of seasoned French and American oak for 18 months. This results in a wine with lifted aromas of black cherry and raspberry, along with a palate of dark berries and a hint of white pepper.

International Recognition and Mission

These international accolades support Château Tanunda's mission to champion the global recognition of fine Australian wines. Focused on the storytelling of the Barossa Valley's rare old vines and rich winemaking industry, the winery uses its status to promote Australia's premium wine sector both locally and overseas.

Family member and managing director Michelle Geber expressed pride, saying, "We are so honored to be named as Australia's Best Still Wine Producer at the Berliner Wine Trophy for the 14th time here at Château Tanunda. We are proud to share the premium Australian wine story with our global wine markets and to receive such an accolade, let alone so consecutively, is a testament to the quality of Barossa wines on the international stage."

About the Berliner Wine Trophy

Established in 2004, the Berliner Wine Trophy is renowned as Germany's most important international wine challenge. It is jointly held by the International Union of Oenologists (UIOE) and the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV). The competition is held twice a year, in winter and summer, with over 14,000 wines from 40 countries entering each time.

Wines are blind-tasted by a jury of experts including oenologists, sommeliers, Masters of Wine, growers, traders, wine critics, and journalists in Berlin. Each entry is judged using the 100-point score system. Notably, the Berliner Wine Trophy was the first to implement the 30 per cent rule, where only the top 30 per cent of products (according to OIV standards) are awarded a medal, emphasizing the significance of these accolades.

Asahi Beverages has taken a significant step forward by commencing a groundbreaking partnership with the Australian Turf Club. This multi-year deal is set to bring a whole new dimension to the race days at some of Australia's premier venues. Punters will now have the opportunity to cheer on the winners while indulging in a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

Elevate Racing Experiences with Asahi Beverages

Partnership at Multiple Racecourses

Under this partnership, Asahi Beverages will be providing drinks at the Australian Turf Club's four racecourses - Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Warwick Farm, and Canterbury Park - as well as the Rosehill Bowling Club. The beverages on offer span across various categories including beer, soft drinks, premix, water, and coffee. This extensive range ensures that racegoers have a diverse selection to choose from, enhancing their overall experience.For example, at Royal Randwick, an Asahi Super Dry Bar with a prime viewing deck will be constructed. This unique combination of the old and new Japan will offer racegoers a one-of-a-kind experience. Additionally, the historic Tote House is set to be reimagined with contemporary styling, celebrating the heritage while providing a premium experience.

Alcohol and Non-Alcohol Beverages

The partnership includes a wide variety of alcoholic beverages such as Asahi Super Dry, Balter, 4Pines, and Vodka Cruiser. These popular drinks will be available during the race days, adding to the excitement and enjoyment of the event. In addition, race-goers will also be able to enjoy beverages from Asahi's non-alcohol range including Schweppes, Pepsi Max, Cool Ridge water, and much more. This ensures that there is something for everyone, whether they prefer an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink.For instance, during a race day at Rosehill Gardens, punters can choose to enjoy a cold Asahi Super Dry while cheering on their favorite horse. Or, they can opt for a refreshing Pepsi Max to quench their thirst. The availability of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages caters to the diverse preferences of the racegoers.

Supporting Growth and Innovation

With crowd attendances at ATC racecourses on the rise, Asahi Beverages will provide trackside support to build on this momentum. This will allow racegoers to enjoy the courses in new and exciting ways. The Australian Turf Club CEO, Matt Galanos, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating that they are renowned for delivering world-class racing experiences and events, and this new partnership will foster innovation to drive the customer experience across all their venues.Asahi Beverages Group CEO Amanda Sellers also shared her enthusiasm, saying that Australians have long celebrated their favorite sporting moments with one of their beverages in hand. The new partnership with the Australian Turf Club presents an opportunity to continue this tradition with some of the country's best racing at their racetracks.ATC is continuously growing the number of concerts, consumer, and business events on non-race days to drive more people through the venues. This new partnership opens up more opportunities for the club to expand its offerings and attract a wider audience.In conclusion, this partnership between Asahi Beverages and the Australian Turf Club is set to revolutionize the race day experience. With a wide range of beverages, trackside support, and the growth of non-race day events, racegoers can look forward to an exciting and memorable time at the races.

The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) has found itself at the center of a storm of questions and controversies. A recent report has revealed that NCORR has ordered contractors to halt the construction of new homes for Hurricanes Florence and Matthew victims and has also suspended payments to contractors working on ongoing construction projects. This development comes at a time when the agency has already been under fire for mismanaging funds, with a reported budget deficit of up to $221 million.

Former Director's Accountability and Interim Leadership

Former NCORR Director Laura Hogshead openly took responsibility during a state legislature hearing last month. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS), which oversees NCORR, announced on November 20 that she was no longer with the agency. Pryor Gibson, the deputy legislative counsel to Gov. Roy Cooper, has been appointed as the interim director.NCORR's spokesperson confirmed the stoppage in an emailed statement to Carolina Journal. They stated that through the Rebuild NC program, 2,955 families have been returned to safer and more resilient homes. While new "Notices to Proceed" for new projects have been paused to work with the General Assembly for funding, the agency remains committed to rebuilding homes for storm-impacted communities. Payments to contractors working on current projects have also been affected, but NCORR has continued to pay for completed work as funds are approved.

Budget and Construction Status

Despite having a nearly $1 billion budget, as of November 18, NCORR still had 1,400 homes pending construction, and 766 families were in the rebuilding process. During the November 18 Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and Subcommittee on Hurricane Response and Recovery hearing, it was revealed that in addition to paying $2.1 million per month on temporary relocation assistance for displaced individuals, NCORR was behind on contractor payments due to encumbered funds. They owed $37.6 million in outstanding invoices and paid out $5 million weekly.

Legislative Scrutiny and Reforms

NCORR has faced legislative scrutiny for years due to operational issues dating back to Hurricanes Matthew and Florence. Legislators, such as Rep. Jake Johnson, R-Henderson, slammed NCORR during the hearing. Johnson expressed concerns about the lack of confidence in the agency's ability to handle future disasters properly and called for major reforms. In his emailed comments to Carolina Journal on Tuesday afternoon, he emphasized that the legislature has repeatedly provided funds to NCORR, yet contractors are not getting paid and work is not being completed. He has no confidence in replicating the current system in western North Carolina and hopes for a faster and more efficient approach in the future.A provision in SB382 also addresses the ongoing issues with NCORR. The bill requires the state auditor to examine NCORR's finances and performance by July 1, 2025, and additional periodic audits are mandated, including those requested by the Director of the Budget or the General Assembly.

Helene Recovery Efforts

Last Thursday, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, announced the creation of the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery. Reps. Dudley Greene, R-McDowell, and Majority Leader John Bell, R-Wayne, will co-chair the committee, which will meet until the end of the year. Moore emphasized the importance of this committee in helping western North Carolina recover and rebuild after Hurricane Helene. He stated that by hearing from key stakeholders and resources, they can ensure a coordinated, effective, and needs-focused response. Moore, Greene, and Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, were in Washington D.C. on Tuesday to urge Congress and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to take immediate action to aid communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. They held meetings with federal officials and lawmakers to emphasize the need for increased disaster recovery support, expedited FEMA assistance, and long-term investments in resiliency.