Wine 867

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In a gray knit Carhartt hat and Joe Beef sweatshirt, Patrick Cappiello appears nervous as he glances at the camera and begins to speak: “So I’m going to get to my point pretty quickly here, but last week I talked to you about being transparent and telling you everything that happens in the winery, and I spent this weekend really struggling with next steps and wanting to be honest.” Cappiello’s Instagram reel, which at the time of this writing had received over 2,900 likes and more than 400 comments, most of them supportive, went on to explain that after tasting some of the older vintages of his Monte Rio Cellars wine, the sommelier-turned-winemaker found that they were “not only not good, but undrinkable,” leading him to realize he needed to filter his wines and add sulfur to make them stable.

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Former co-owner and wine director of New York City’s Pearl & Ash and Michelin-starred Rebelle, Cappiello went to Sonoma in 2017. His career started as a dishwasher and busboy at 15 years old. Upon moving to New York, he quickly climbed the ladder of wine professionals, starting as a waiter, then moving to sommelier at the Tribeca Grill, and later becoming the wine director at Gilt, which received two Michelin Stars during his time. After 2013, Pearl & Ash quickly gained fame for its comprehensive wine list, lively soundtrack and Cappiello’s routine sabering of champagne bottles; Rebelle, which opened two years later, was awarded a Michelin star. Cappiello was named sommelier of the year by several publications. After closing his two Lower East Side restaurants, he relocated to the west coast to work his first grape harvest and started training with Pax Mahle at Pax Wines in Sebastopol. He decided to trade his suit for T-shirts when he left Gilt to open Pearl & Ash, a casual uniform he has maintained, adjusting only to accommodate weather changes.

In a phone interview, Cappiello discussed working with Mahle, where he continues to produce Monte Rio and co-owns Skull Wines. He mentions Mahle’s winery as an incubator for several successful brands. Initially, Mahle took charge of the first two vintages of Monte Rio, but from 2020 onward, Cappiello has been overseeing all winemaking decisions at Monte Rio.

Cappiello, in his Instagram video, said he chose to speak out against the sommelier community of his past, which he believes is dominated by purists who dictate what characterizes a wine as natural. He states, “I am trying to call out sommeliers who have never made a bottle of wine or risked their lives and finances to start a winery. I’m not going to play by their rules anymore.” Cappiello discussed the inner workings of Monte Rio Cellars and explained his perceived departure from natural wine.

What was the main point you were trying to make with this video?

My intention is to challenge the rigid ideology surrounding natural wines. It seems to me that there’s an overwhelming focus on ticking off a checklist of certain practices or traits. Whether the wine is all carbonic, zero-zero, and the like; these become critical deciding factors for a natural winemaker and the curators of natural wine at shops and restaurants.

Why do you feel the need to be transparent?

My drive towards transparency has grown as I aim for financial stability. This requires engaging in broader conversations with those less gripped by dogma, individuals who value the actual flavor in the glass and the ability to market it. This is imperative for economic stability, especially when the wine is served by the glass in restaurants. It became clear to me that making a reliable wine product was more vital than adhering to the preconceived notions of so-called natural wine enthusiasts who perhaps lack practical winemaking experience or true understanding of what natural wine entails. I’ve always held this view, but haven’t been vocal about it until now. For instance, I’ve been implementing the cross-flow technique for a while, and 2021 marked the first time I used it for a white wine. It’s rather irrational, but I can’t help feeling somewhat guilty after doing it, as if I’ve done something forbidden.

What part of the wine community did you think was going to take the most issue with your transparency?

My objective was to shake things up among those who were crafting a narrative about natural wine and what they believe others should be doing. And this can significantly influence other buyers. I am well aware how daunting and bullying this culture can be, whether it’s about what constitutes natural wine, or what is considered trendy or quality wine. It’s unfortunate but sommeliers and wine merchants aren’t always kind to one another. The domineering nature and gatekeeping tactics get passed down. In my eyes, it resembles the dogmatic religious approaches used while I was growing up in a born-again Christian family. With these influences, it’s often just word of mouth and divine insinuation that we pass onto others as important. This idea grows increasingly corrupt when you realize it’s people who think they know better imposing their opinions and interpretations. With wine, it’s no different. Too many individuals dictate how things should be.

Do you consider yourself a natural winemaker?

I’ve always perceived myself as someone who makes wine naturally, rather than being a natural winemaker. To begin with, this term is still undefined, and using it to label something as natural wine can be risky since there’s no set definition and it has been a debate for a long time. Also, it was a community I wasn’t keen to join. The idea of being a natty wine producer, to bro it down, didn’t gel well with me. If you ask me whether I consider myself a natural winemaker now, I am not certain. I used to think I was, but perhaps now that’s a decision others will have to make for me.

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A forthcoming Country Wine & Spirits store, which will retail boutique alcohol along with craft wines and beers, is slated to open in Ramona earlier this summer.

On Thursday, the Ramona Community Planning Group members unanimously gave the green light for a liquor license for the fourth Country Wine & Spirits store in Ramona. The license will be moved from the Country Wine & Spirits outlet in Tierrasanta, informed Vince Kattoula, the CEO of Kattoula & Associates.

The new address is the prior Elam’s Hallmark store at 1423 Main St. located in the Plaza Shopping Center. The owner, Guy Elam, shut down the store adjacent to Albertson’s grocery store on Valentine’s Day of the previous year, citing the excessive cost required for operating the business.

Kattoula updated the Planning Group members that the upcoming Country Wine & Spirits is poised to retail high-end products which include boutique liquors, and craft wines and beers amongst other items. The outlet will also be selling wines produced in Ramona, European-style chocolates, and flavored craft sodas sourced globally.

One product that stands out in the selection is Pappy Van Winkle, a high-class range of bourbons and whiskeys, according to Kattoula. This brand is often not found in usual stores, he noted.

Kattoula shared that an uncommon item intended to be on offer is a tequila bottle sculpted like a shotgun and stands 3 feet tall.

Kattoula strongly believes that the establishment will appeal to tourists, who, in turn, could revitalize Ramona’s economy by patronizing local stores, food establishments, and wineries.

“This place is more of a tourist spot and presents an opportunity to discover exclusive bottles for momentous events,” stated Kattoula, following the approval of the liquor license by the Planning Group.

Andrew Simmons, a member of the Planning Group and chair of the Town Center Subcommittee, reported that the subcommittee members unanimously endorsed the alcohol license at their meeting on March 27.

“Everyone is keen on the concept,” said Simmons. “The expectation is that it will stock premium products that may become popular.”

Simmons pointed out that there appears to be a need for a convenience store in the shopping center. This is particularly true for customers who desire a quick pick-up of alcohol or snacks.

“We draw tourists all day thanks to our wineries and music scene, as well as being on the way to Julian and the desert,” Simmons commented. “While I’m unsure if anyone in San Diego would travel up the hill to visit a liquor shop, I do see a chance for passersby to spot the shop and stop in.”

Robin Joy Maxson, a member of the Planning Group, stated at the meeting on Thursday that a similar store she had been to in Lake Tahoe was immensely popular, always bustling with customers.

You don’t need to be a master sommelier to know that Europeans pride themselves on their passion for wine. Whether it’s paired with a pasta dish in Italy, sipped alongside a specialty cheese in France, or served with a delectable tapas spread in Spain, wine is commonly the finishing touch on almost every meal in the region. We’d even go so far as to say that it’s practically regarded as its own food group. Considering the fact that France, Italy, and Spain are indeed the top three wine-producing countries on Earth, that’s hardly a surprise.

However, you might be surprised to learn that when it comes to wine consumption, none of the above nations can hold a candle (or a bottle) to the United States. Yep, according to the 2024 State of the U.S. Wine Industry Report by Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), the U.S. is consistently the world’s top wine-consuming country. As stated in the report, U.S. wine drinkers gulped down over 329 million cases of wine in 2022.

Per data from the International Organization of Wine and Vine (OIV), that equates to about 3.4 billion liters of vino. Compare that to the 2.53 billion liters of wine consumed by France, and the 2.3 billion liters drank by Italy that same year. Rounding out the top five wine-consuming populations were Germany and the United Kingdom — and, although Spain is the world’s third-biggest producer of wine, it actually trails behind Russia in terms of consumption.

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Given that the United States does, indeed, have a higher population compared to other countries that appreciate wine, it is logical that it outdrinks them. Even though the consumer market in China certainly has the financial capability to compete with the U.S. in regards to buying and consumption potential, the most populated country globally has notably reduced its wine consumption over the past decade, dropping from 201.1 million cases in 2015 to 97.8 million in 2022.

As a matter of fact, the demand for wine is decreasing worldwide, including in the U.S. Wine sales in the U.S. have been on a consistent decline since the 2000s, with the industry reporting negative volume sales in 2021, 2022, and 2023. A key insight from SVB’s industry report is that “less U.S. consumers consider wine as their alcoholic beverage of choice” in recent times. The data indicates that some are choosing ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, stronger spirits, or opting out of alcohol in preference for cannabis.

Moreover, a large number of young adults in America have been completely abstaining from alcohol (and not only during Dry January). Based on a 2023 Gallup poll, Americans below the age of 35 are drinking less than in previous years. Although this could signify potential changes in future drinking data, for now, the United States remains the top wine consumer globally by a significant margin. We’d raise a glass to that.

Read the original article on Tasting Table

In this edition of Top Shelf, it’s all about extreme deliciousness, including adventurous rum from the middle of the Atlantic and sessionable mead.

Illustration: Oscar Bolton Green

Welcome back, all ye of discerning taste. It’s the first Thursday in a new month, and boy, do we have a doozy of a Top Shelf Society meeting ahead.

In case you’re new here—and huzzah if you are!—just grab that chair over there and settle in; there’s no cap in this club dedicated to more satisfying, smart drinking. (Although sign up here if you’re reading this online, so you don’t miss out on subscriber-only special offers.)

Full Glass Wine a brand acquisition management startup that specializes in acquiring wine marketplaces, has raised a $14 million Series A round to continue acquiring DTC (direct-to-consumer) wine marketplaces, aiming to lead the DTC wine market.

DTC wine brands sell wine directly to wine lovers, bypassing traditional distribution channels

Full Glass Wine recently acquired Bright Cellars, a subscription-based wine service provider in Wisconsin, for an undisclosed price. The deal is its third acquisition in a year and enables the startup to expand its subscription-based model. Previous acquisitions include Winc, a DTC wine platform offering personalized recommendations and a subscription service, in June 2023; and Wine Insiders, a marketplace that curates a selection of high-quality wines from around the world at accessible prices, in October 2023.

“By uniting Winc, Wine Insiders, and Bright Cellars, we offer a one-stop shop for all things wine, catering to a wider range of wine drinkers than most traditional retailers, grocers, or single-brand DTC companies,” Neha Kumar, co-founder and COO of Full Glass Wine, told TechCrunch. “This comprehensive portfolio allows the company to optimize logistics for efficient delivery and leverage the power of established brands to create a powerful marketing platform.”

The firm plans to increase its technology investments using the raised funds. “Bright Cellars, our latest addition, has designed an algorithm that pairs wine by learning from user preferences and ratings,” mentioned Kumar. “This method, reminiscent of how platforms such as Spotify and Netflix customize content suggestions, helps us craft a more personalized experience for every customer. We aim to harness the power of data and AI to enhance the precision and insightfulness of personalized wine recommendations, ensuring that every customer finds and relishes wines they genuinely adore.”

A host of opportunities await in the DTC wine sector, though managing the intricate network of regulations across various states can be an obstacle, as per Kumar.

She further stated, “Ensuring a smooth customer journey, from discovering our products to receiving them, demands continuous innovation and concentration. However, there might be some misunderstandings among customers regarding DTC wine. We tackle concerns over quality by securing partnerships with reliable vineyards and implementing stringent selection processes. Although value is a pertinent factor, we provide a broad price range catering to an array of budget preferences. The primary challenge might be the preliminary discovery stage – consumers often find it daunting to pick the right wines. This is where personalization plays a key role – we employ data and technology to help consumers identify wines that they will truly enjoy.”

Full Glass Wine’s CEO Louis Amoroso and COO Neha Kumar. Image Credits: Full Glass Wine

Back in 2023, a man of multiple talents in the winery business and former associate at Goose Island Beer Company, Louis Amoroso (CEO), together with Kumar (COO), a past management director at New Money Ventures, initiated a startup. They are very open-minded about the potential of teaming up with diverse companies to increase the accessibility and services their platform offers.

“This could possibly include wineries, different food delivery solutions, or even organizing specialists to provide unmatched experiences for our customers directly through our platform,” elucidated Kumar.

Post the latest acquisition, the company is consistently working hard to ensure a seamless transition for every person involved.

“Our team at Full Glass Wine will strengthen as we are looking at including minimally dozens of employees now,” informed Kumar. “This addition will enhance our team significantly, allowing us to cater to a broader array of services to our esteemed customers.”

The startup did not provide the number of subscribers it has but said the acquisitions will help it generate more than $100 million in revenue in 2024. It plans to offer a diverse selection of over 400 SKUs and an accessible price range for customers; most bottles range from $12 to $25.

Shea Ventures led the Series A funding.

Bright Cellars lands more funding to personalize its subscription-based wines

Vivino raises $155 million for wine recommendation and marketplace app

Red wine used to be touted as a health food. If you didn’t drink, experts thought adding a glass …[+] would improve your health. Yet the science has changed because the original research in the 1990s supporting red wine’s benefits was flawed. Despite that, many still thinking red wine is healthy.

For years scientists and doctors considered red wine a health food. Research of the day linked moderate alcohol consumption—defined as one drink or less a day in women and two or less in men—to 30-40% fewer heart disease deaths in drinkers v. non-drinkers.

Red wine became a health food because it not only contained alcohol but also the health-enhancing antioxidants of grape skins. One powerful antioxidant is resveratrol which repairs damaged blood vessels, prevents clots, and reduces inflammation. This led to experts to recommend red wine in modest amounts to boost health. Wine sales have grown tremendously since the 1990s.

Now we know differently. Moderate drinkers do die later but not because they drink alcohol. It’s because they are healthier to begin with. They are more active, richer, have better diets, and better education. The early research studies misled us to wrongly believe moderate consumption was healthy. Here are four reasons you shouldn’t think of red wine as a health food, even if you sip less than a glass a day.

1. Moderate Alcohol Consumption Is Linked To Poorer, Not Better, Cardiovascular Health

A 2022 study in JAMA Network Open examined 371,463 people in the UK and found moderate drinking was associated with a 1.3 times higher risk of high blood pressure and 1.4 times higher risk of coronary artery disease. The study was cleverly designed. It accounted for a person’s genetic predisposition to alcohol use which helps get around some limitations of earlier studies.

2. Alcohol Use Increases Cancer Risk Even With Moderate Drinking

Alcohol is a known human carcinogen, according to the National Toxicology Program in the Department of Health and Human Services. Alcohol accounts for 6% of all cancers and 4% of cancer deaths, amounting to 75,000 yearly cancer cases and 19,000 deaths in US. It causes cancer for many reasons. For example, it increases oxidative stress and the metabolic products from alcohol—namely, acetaldehyde—damage liver DNA. It also directly injures your mouth and throat cells’ DNA. It substantially increases breast cancer risk even in moderate drinkers. Women who drink three alcoholic drinks a week have a 15% higher breast cancer risk than those who don’t drink at all.

Sleep Quality Is Worsened By Alcohol

Alcohol can act as a sedative causing one to fall asleep more quickly. However, it has been found to detrimentally affect the quality of sleep. The impact of drinking alcohol on sleep quality becomes more obvious even after small quantities. A study carried out on 4,098 Finnish people, revealed a rise in stress responses and impairment in sleep recovery measures in the first three hours of sleep due to alcohol consumption. According to their measurements, the quality of sleep, referred to as the HRV-derived physiological recovery state, deteriorated by 9.3% upon drinking a small amount of alcohol. This increased to 24% for a moderate amount and soared as high as 39.2% for a large amount. In addition to worsening hangovers, insufficient sleep also leads to decreased alertness on the following day.

It Would Require A Deadly Amount Of Red Wine To Benefit From Its Antioxidants

Resveratrol is found in red wine but its quantity is not enough to engender any significant health benefits. A study, measuring absorption of resveratrol in the body through a cup of alcohol, along with two other polyphenols (catechin and quercetin) known for their health benefits, concludes that the blood concentrations for these elements is far too low to be effective. Consequently, to reach a beneficially high level, one would have to drink gallons of wine, a lethal amount.

Here’s the crucial understanding: the understanding of red wine’s benefits has progressed. Indeed, it brings about a pleasant feeling. But, it’s no longer considered a health boon. If you don’t drink, there’s no need to start. If you do indulge in red wine, perhaps think about consuming less than a glass per day. It’s evident that the more alcohol you consume – including red wine – the greater you elevate your risk for health complications.

If you’ve ever attended a dinner or wine-tasting party where someone referred to a wine as elegant, you might have thought they were merely trying to sound sophisticated. However, the world of wine is broad and intricate, and forming an efficient wine language requires a diction that might surprise you. The term ‘elegant’ is commonly used amongst wine connoisseurs, so, to expand your wine knowledge, continue reading to comprehend what it means for a wine to be termed elegant.

Elegance does not refer to one specific wine or trait; instead, it includes a series of traits that collectively give a wine its elegant status. Rather than highlighting one singular feature, elegance describes how all the wine’s characteristics combine to shape a unique drinking experience. The characteristics of an elegant wine, including its flavor, aroma, and mouthfeel, are based in subtlety rather than boldness. An elegant wine generally demands a well-focused palette to distinguish the tiny complexities and the interaction of various tasting notes. Consider these distinct elements as the pastel shades of the wine universe, opposed to the striking neon colors represented by bolder wines.

Read more: 13 Liquors Your Home Bar Should Have

If you’re curious about exploring elegant wines, there are several classic styles you can begin with. For red wine aficionados, a pinot noir is the perfect choice. This light and tangy red wine carries a more subtle and delicate fruitiness in comparison to heavier and more assertive reds like cabernet sauvignon. If you prefer white wine, a chablis might be the right choice. Yet for those who don’t strongly prefer either type, they can often discover their favored elegant wine by sipping a rosé.

When it comes to serving elegant wine with food, you can rely on the basic guidelines regarding these combinations. The refined and reserved traits of these wines are easily masked by intense, hearty dishes like savory steak or spicy curry, so you will want to save them instead for lighter, milder courses. We recommend opting for recipes such as this refreshing apple harvest salad or this elevated yuzu scallop crudo. Regardless of what you enjoy your elegant wines with, you might be the life of the party simply due to your familiarity with the jargon.

Read the original article on Tasting Table

This Rhone-style blend is a low-intervention wine that lets the fruit sing

Cormorant 2021 Preston Vineyard, Sonoma County

This is a medium-bodied Rhône-style blend of 64 percent Grenache Blanc and the remainder Marsanne, made from certified organic grapes sourced from the Preston Vineyard, at the far end of Dry Creek Valley. The Dry Creek Valley AVA is about 25 miles north of the Russian River Valley AVA.

UC-Davis grad and veteran winemaker Charlie Gilmore started Cormorant Cellars in 2018 and first made this blend in 2021, using low-intervention methods (ambient yeast; no filter or fining) that allow the fruit to shine and sing. Made with an old-school, Old World sensibility, the wine is co-fermented in a combination of seven-year-old and once-used barrels.

Offering more subtlety than showiness, this wine still exudes a unique character: think tart green and yellow fruits from the orchard – think cherry and plum – with dashes of cooked Meyer lemon, quince, and a savory herbal undertone.

“I’ve always held quite a liking for the whites from the Rhône Valley. They intrigued me with their structure and mouthfeel. With this blend of Grenache Blanc/Marsanne, my objective was to craft a wine that balanced good structure with a bright freshness,” said Gilmore. He went on to note that while Grenache Blanc has the potential to exhibit a heavy or bitter mouthfeel, harvesting the fruit at the right moment was crucial. In this case, he appears to have nailed it.

The label features pacific crested cormorants, coastal birds that Gilmore and his father spent countless hours observing during family excursions to the Monterey coast during his childhood. The wine retails at $27, with 205 cases produced.

But why stop at merely recommending this wine? Let’s ramp up this recommendation by suggesting a “pairing of the month.” I paired it with a roasted sweet corn risotto with shrimp, paired with steamed asparagus on the side. Given an evening that almost assures that spring is nigh but still carries a crisp chill that calls for a hearty meal, I could not have chosen a more fitting pair.

Sweet corn risotto with shrimp is an excellent match with this Rhone-style wine from Cormorant.

How to make:

· Make your favorite risotto recipe, browning the pot with both garlic and shallots.

· More shallots in either a roasting pan or a cast-iron skillet with olive oil and corn kernels (frozen is OK when fresh corn is out of season); roast until the kernel brown slightly, but before they’re crunchy.

Prepare shrimp as you prefer: in this case, the shrimp were sauteed in white wine and garlic, but you also have the option to pan roast them with corn.

Steam asparagus, finish with a sprinkle of extra virgin olive oil and lemon and serve as a side dish. Alternatively, here’s a recipe you can modify from wyseguide.com.

A roundup of wine news, that this month includes orange trends, better bottles, wine digs and spills, and lots of ways to sip through the eclipse.

March’s wine news combined the new, the old, the orange and the sun.

PROVENCE GETS [MORE] STAR POWER. George and Amal Clooney will join the ranks of super-rich superstars making wine in southern France, joining the likes of Brad Pitt (who released wine under the Miraval label with former wife Angelina Jolie), filmmaker George Lucas at Château Margüi, NBA stars Tony Parker and Carmelo Anthony (respectively, Chateau La Mascaronne and The Seventh Estate), and John Malkovich at Les Quelles de la Coste. The Clooneys bought the Provence estate Domaine du Canadel in 2021, and will release two wines under the Coteaux Varois en Provence Appellation d’Origine Contrôllée (AOC). The estates red and white grapes were previously sold to a cooperative and Wine Spectator reports the Clooneys will start from scratch with new branding for their upcoming rose and white bottlings.

TRENDS LOOKOUT. Each year the wine trade heads to Dusseldorf, Germany for ProWein, one of Europe’s largest wine fairs, where old standbys, current upstarts and new trends are on display. This year, Drinks Business, the UK trade publication reports on low-cal/low-al beverages were trending high, as were orange-hued drinks such as Mionetto Aperitivo and a spritz product by the Cava brand, Hola; and Glitter Spritz Aperitivo, from the Flaschenpost Gin brand.

Lightweight bottles are getting attention and gaining approval—a big move toward sustainability, as it’s reported that the bottle weight comprises at least 56% of the carbon footprint of wine, with glass contributing 85% of that (more info here from the Spanish GrupoARCE).

DB reports Albariño is trending (again!) With its spiritual home in Spain’s Rías Baixas, where 90% of vineyards are planted to the variety, new styles are emerging, such as aged Albariño. But the wine’s rise in popularity is also sparked by its success in other wine regions, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Well, hola (again) and ole!

SABOTAGE IN THE CELLAR. The latest act of violence against wine involved the loss of more than 6,600 cases of wine, as it was intentionally spilled from three tanks in the cellars of Cepa 21, an iconic winery in Spain’s Ribera del Duero region. The loss is valued at $2.7 million. You can see the chilling video of the vandal here.

ELSEWHERE, ‘DIGGING’ WINE. Archaeologists in France’s Rhône Valley discovered the remains of an ancient winery near the town of Laveyron. While researchers are still studying the site, reports estimate the winery could date back to the first century A.D. Conducted by Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Preventives, the dig dug up fragments of terracotta that would have been used to store wine in amphorae, and evidence of wood casks. The site is in a region known for ancient winemaking culture, notably by the Allobroges, a Gallic group, living between the Rhône river and the Alps during the Iron Age and the Roman period. Images of the dig, here, at myscience.org

ECLIPSE SIPS. Numerous wineries are planning special events around the upcoming total eclipse of the sun on April 8. In Hye, Texas, the Ron Yates Winery, saying they are in the “direct path of totality,” will host a day-long party of music, food games and wine. Solar Eclipse Party Farmhouse Vineyards in Texas will offer “The Observer,” a limited-edition GSM blend made with grapes harvested during the last total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017. Only 16 cases were produced and you have to be on site with a VIP ticket to sip. The Tiny Vineyards Wine Company in Sonoma made 78 cases of “Eclipse Malbec” to commemorate the event. You can order online, first-come, first served ($40 SRP). In New York’s Finger Lakes, the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has created “Sips to the Eclipse,” an assembly of 10 wineries hosting events over the weekend preceding the eclipse. Likewise, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail has organized events on the 7th and 8th.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that it would lift punitive tariffs on Australian exports.

Australia’s government has warned businesses against relying solely on China for their economic success after Beijing decided to scrap heavy tariffs on Australian wine exports this week.

Assistant Minister for Trade Tim Ayres said trade diversification was “absolutely critical” for Australian businesses and the government would be working with wine producers to “diversify their trade markets.”