Latest news with #Barossa
The Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Australian
The Australian Wine Club: Secret Cellar offers premium shiraz and cabernet deal
Australia's wine problem is red but the answer may be white and gold. Bill Pannell, one of the great innovators of Australian wine, has spotted an opportunity he believes can fix the red wine glut and ramp up sales in China to younger wine lovers. Pannell, a doctor who became one of the pioneers of Margaret River by planting some of its first vines in 1969 and establishing the revered Moss Wood estate, spoke to The Australian as our wine club put the finishing touches on its latest Secret Cellar release. Our Secret Cellar offer this week brings together a sublime 96-point McLaren Vale shiraz, another McLaren shiraz star created by one of its highest-profile winemakers, a blockbuster Barossa shiraz-grenache and a classic 2017 Margaret River cabernet blend from one of the Halliday Wine Companion's highest-rated wineries. As keen followers of this column know, our Secret Cellar deals offer deep discounts (this week more than 50 per cent) but the catch is you won't know what's in the box until it arrives at your door. We do offer a guaranteed refund if you're not happy but we don't publicise the wineries' identities to ensure their normal price points are not permanently eroded while trying to quickly sell excess stock caused by the glut. Bill Pannell. Picture: Picardy Wines Pannell, who went on to establish celebrated pinot noir and chardonnay producer Picardy at Pemberton after selling Moss Wood, keeps a close eye on the wine market in China. 'It now seems that, unlike the rest of the world, young Chinese are increasing their consumption of wine and are quite experimental in their choices,' Pannell told us. And while red wines have traditionally accounted for almost 90 per cent of wines imported by China, younger drinkers are discovering a taste for fruity white wines, particularly in the warmer months. Official Chinese Customs data during summer last year shows that imports from New Zealand and Germany – countries that primarily export white wine to China – increased by 30.5 per cent and 24.75 per cent, year on year, according to reports in the Chinese media. Meanwhile, dominant red wine export countries Spain, France and Italy saw their sales to China decline by between 21 per cent and 25 per cent year on year. Australian white wine exports to China presently only make up 6 per cent of the total wine volume shipped, presenting an obvious opportunity. Pannell believes the Australian wine industry needs to do two things: start grafting some of our cabernet sauvignon vines to chardonnay, and create a new white wine marketing plan. 'For growers in warm, inland irrigation areas, who are being offered prices for red grapes that are below cost of production, it represents an opportunity for them to graft over to white varieties and get greater returns,'' he says. Pannell, who celebrated his 84th birthday last week and still works in his Picardy vineyards, says: 'From our own recent experience, chardonnay grafts really well on to cabernet sauvignon and crops really well on it. On the local market in Australia, supply and demand for white grapes, particularly chardonnay, is in balance and if we could persuade the Chinese to drink more whites it would alleviate much of the current oversupply problem by reducing red grape production.' But, as a word of warning, he says wine marketers should be aware that in Chinese culture, white is perceived as the colour of death and mourning. He points out that so-called 'white wines' are actually translucent, with varying shades of gold, yellow and green – all desirable colours in Chinese culture. 'Gold holds top billing and symbolises wealth, prosperity, power, abundance and good fortune and is considered to generate both Yin and Yang,'' he says. 'Why, then, are we insisting on marketing varieties such as chardonnay, which isn't really white at all, as 'white wines'? Surely 'golden wines' would be preferable from a marketing perspective.' McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021 A standout wine. Lavish blackberry and cherry aromas invite attention, with a swirl of vanilla, chocolate, liquorice and a hint of black olive and smoked meats. Generous black and red fruits wash across the mouth; savoury notes offer complexity. Soft, velvety tannins and good acid bring pitch-perfect balance. 96 points, Wine Orbit. 14.5% alc; RRP $65. SPECIALS: $25.99 a bottle in Secret Cellar dozen. McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021 Classic McLaren shiraz style: sweet fruit aromas of plums and black cherry weave a spell with milk chocolate, vanilla, spice and toasty oak. Mouth-coating, concentrated and full-bodied; firm tannins. Barbecued eye fillet an obvious partner. 94 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14.5% alc; RRP $60. SPECIALS: $25.99 a bottle in Secret Cellar dozen. Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2021 Raspberries and redcurrant aromas and flavours from the grenache fuse with ripe plums and blackberry from the shiraz. Hints of bay leaf, herbs, sweet liquorice, fruit cake, vanilla and chocolate all play their part in this plush, more-ish treat. 94 points, Wine Orbit. 15% alc; RRP $50. SPECIALS: $25.99 a bottle in Secret Cellar dozen. Margaret River Cabernet Merlot 2017 Leap-from-the-glass aromas of blackcurrant, pencil shavings and herbs, mingling with cassis, cocoa nibs, plum, bramble, tobacco and olive. Polished fresh fruit on the palate. Juicy acidity; soft tannins; perfectly balanced. 93 points, Halliday Wine Companion. 14% alc; RRP $35. SPECIALS $25.99 a bottle in Secret Cellar dozen. SECRET CELLAR DOZEN Three bottles of each wine above for $25.99 a bottle. SAVE $318 Order online or phone 1300 765 359 Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEST and quote 'ACCJ'. Deals available only while stocks last. The Australian Wine Club is a commercial partnership with Laithwaites Wine. Read related topics: China Ties
ABC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
The intriguing history of the community cookbook
Who doesn't love a passionfruit sponge, jam roly-poly or nice fluffy scone? How about fish soup or an anglicised chop suey? While we might get excited about classic bakes, community cookbooks are much more than your community, parish or County Women's Association fundraisers. They're time capsules that reveal so much about the social and political fabric of a community at a particular point in time. They're also treasure troves of nostalgia that help us connect to our families, memories and ancestors long passed. Guests: Liz Harfull, author of Tried, Tested and True: Treasured recipes and untold stories from Australia's community Cookbooks Sheralee Menz & Marieka Ashmore, 'Those Barossa Girls', authors of Rolling Up Their Sleeves: The Recipes and the Women Behind the Barossa Cookery Book Get in touch: We'd love to hear from you! Email us at everybite@ This episode of Every Bite was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Santos secures new LNG supply contract with QatarEnergy Trading
Global energy company Santos has entered a new mid-term agreement with QatarEnergy Trading (QET) to supply around 0.5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) of LNG over two years, starting in 2026. The LNG will be sourced from Santos' portfolio and delivered on an ex-ship basis. This deal extends Santos' existing relationship with QET and enhances its presence in the Asian LNG markets. This contract also adds to Santos' portfolio of tier-one customers, which includes names such as Hokkaido Gas and Shizuoka Gas, among others. Santos has around 90% of its portfolio contracted and approximately 85% oil-linked between 2025 and 2029. The average contract pricing is estimated at a 14.7% slope to Brent from 2025 to 2027. The company's strategy involves leveraging charter LNG vessels. Santos managing director and CEO Kevin Gallagher said: 'This contract reinforces our ability to leverage our flexible LNG portfolio to achieve great outcomes for Santos and our customers. It further complements recent mid-term and long-term LNG sales and purchase agreements, underscoring Santos' robust LNG portfolio and strong customer relationships in the region. 'We continue to see very strong demand in Asia for high heating value LNG from projects such as Barossa and PNG LNG, as well as for reliable regional supply. Santos remains committed to supporting the energy security and emissions reduction strategies of our valued customers across Asia.' In related news, last month Santos granted exclusive due diligence access to a consortium spearheaded by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC). "Santos secures new LNG supply contract with QatarEnergy Trading" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Sky News AU
03-07-2025
- Business
- Sky News AU
Winemaker releases alluring set of Barossa drops with 'the full Penfolds treatment'
Jason Barrette is the only winemaker I know who can launch a surface to air missile. The former Army veteran who walks with a limp has released an alluring set of Barossa wines made unashamedly in the Penfolds style. The release is under 56-year-old Barrette's own label, Camino Wines. His first foray into winemaking began at Magill Estate in Adelaide at the spiritual home of Penfolds. Under the tutelage of Penfolds winemaking commander-in-chief Peter Gago, Barrette rose to be a senior winemaker handling the A grade fruit and assisting Mr Gago in making top-tier wines like Grange, St Henri and Bin 707 while being in charge of the cellar reserve range. 'Gago was my boss and my mentor and became a great friend,' Mr Barrette said. He said Mr Gago was a stickler for detail and had an enormous capacity for work. Some mistakenly regard Mr Gago as a mere figurehead because of his frequent globetrotting to host dinners and show wine to critics in key markets in Europe, the US and Hong Kong. Even some within his own company Treasury Wine Estates saw Mr Gago as a figurehead, even though he was hands-on during all phases of the winemaking, Mr Barrette said. He remembers he once went to the winery at 11.30pm after a long flight because he was excited to taste the new ferments. 'During vintage he is at the winery at 5am. He is at work before anyone and the last to leave. 'Although he does a lot of travelling, he is always down there to taste when the grapes come. 'We tasted twice a day. 'With Peter I learnt more in my first 12 months at Penfolds than I did in four years at university. The passion he has for Penfolds runs through his veins. 'Gago is one of the top five winemakers in the world. What he does for the Australian wine industry is amazing. He elevates everyone's wine in the eyes of the world.' Mr Barrette said Camino was the culmination of 20 years of winemaking in Europe, the US and Canada. 'Camino is a celebration of every vineyard I've worked in, every lesson I've learned, and every story I've had the privilege to tell,' he adds. His first collection features seven wines, including 2024 Barossa Valley Tempranillo, 2024 Adelaide Hills Grüner Veltliner, 2024 Barossa Valley Grenache Blanc de Noir, 2023 Adelaide Hills HSV Chardonnay, 2023 Centenary Vines Barossa Valley Grenache, 2023 Barossa Valley Grenache Rosé, and the flagship 2021 Paradigm Vineyard Marananga Shiraz. The flagship Camino 2021 Paradigm Vineyard Marananga Shiraz makes a bold statement about where Barrette sees his new venture. It's a powerful yet poised Shiraz from 80 to 100-year-old vines in the heart of Marananga. It's next door to Torbreck's famed Laird vineyard. His leading wine shows a marriage of dark plums, dried herbs and spice on the nose with underlying cedary oak. The palate is plush, generous, and structured, finishing long with earthy ironstone notes. 'It's had the full Penfolds treatment,' he said. The fruit is picked at optimum ripeness, and he chose AP John Coopers American oak barrels to store it. And Mr Gago would approve. 'I've had a lot of experience working with fruit from Marananga. 'When I was at Penfolds and later at Paulmara Estates and now with my own brand.' Mr Barrette was an air defence artillery specialist in the Army. 'I'm a World War I buff and went backpacking with a group of my Army mates to Gallipoli and the Western Front. In Europe I fell in love with the food and wine culture. 'Later I had a serious training accident when I fell from a great height at Woodside (Army base in South Australia) and ended up with a 12-inch plate and 13 screws in my leg. 'Twenty operations later there was less opportunity for me to deploy on active service.' Injury sidelined him from the second Gulf War. He quit the Army and a week later went straight to Adelaide University to study winemaking.
Arabian Post
20-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Abu Dhabi Bid for Santos Sparks Energy Sovereignty Debate
Santos Ltd's board of directors has endorsed a US $18.7 billion cash offer from an Abu Dhabi-led consortium, pledging immediate relief for stretched gas markets but plunging Australia into a high-stakes national interest conflict. The bid, sponsored by ADNOC's investment arm XRG alongside ADQ and Carlyle, offers A$8.89 per share—a 28 per cent premium to Santos's market value—while assuming A$36.4 billion in enterprise debt. It marks the largest all‑cash takeover ever in Australia. Investors have reacted with caution: Santos shares rallied nearly 11 per cent upon news of the bid but remain significantly below the offer price, reflecting deep concern over regulatory approval. Analysts warn that the deal's fate now hinges on the Foreign Investment Review Board and Treasurer Jim Chalmers, whose approval will weigh economic gain against strategic control of critical energy infrastructure. ADVERTISEMENT Proponents emphasise that ADNOC's financial strength can catalyse development of Santos's undeveloped assets—including Narrabri and shale projects like Beetaloo—and help mitigate an anticipated east‑coast gas shortage by 2027. With ADNOC targeting 20–25 million tonnes per annum of LNG capacity by 2035, acquiring Santos's stakes in Gladstone, Darwin and PNG LNG represents a strategic alignment for both parties. However, a chorus of concern has emerged over the implications for domestic energy sovereignty. The high concentration of export‑oriented gas supply—over 70 per cent in Queensland—raises alarms that ADNOC might prioritise LNG sales over local consumption, deepening east‑coast supply pressures. RenewEconomy warns that 'if ADNOC's focus is primarily on LNG markets, it will likely seek to export as much gas as possible'. Australian Energy Producers, which counts Santos CEO Kevin Gallagher as a board member, has yet to publicly weigh in, but the Australian Energy Market Operator has flagged potential domestic shortfalls by late decade if projects like Barossa and Narrabri are delayed. Political figures are sharpening oversight. South Australia's energy minister, Tom Koutsantonis, invoked state power to oversee licence transfers, while Treasurer Chalmers cautioned that the deal 'would be a big decision' and pledged not to pre‑empt FIRB's findings. Historical precedents include the federal government blocking Shell's bid for Woodside in 2001 and the NSW Ausgrid sale in 2016—illustrating a willingness to restrict foreign control of strategic infrastructure. From Adelaide to Canberra, voices across politics and industry are watching keenly. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas stressed that the headquarters and local workforce must be retained; this position is reinforced by new state laws granting oversight over petroleum licence assignments. On the investor side, divergent assessments persist. UBS analysts see ADNOC's deep pockets as a positive, while others like Evans & Partners downgraded Santos stock, suggesting investors might prefer Woodside, citing superior oil market positioning. The bid aligns with Australia‑UAE economic ties following a free trade agreement, yet regulatory scrutiny is expected to be heightened due to the sovereign‑state nature of ADNOC. Approval would mark a milestone in Australia's economic evolution, yet rejection—or imposition of conditions like domestic supply carve‑outs—could serve as a policy catalyst in securing energy infrastructure for public benefit. This takeover bid places domestic energy security at the centre of policymaking, challenging Australia to find balance between foreign investment and safeguarding its energy future.
