China targets Australian wine industry

[phillisc]

Nice post Sam...sums it up well.
Cheers Craig

[JamieBahrain]

Australian Dollar isn't rallying so much as the USD is just weakening Vs most things. The market continues to price in a weaker Dollar due to the fiscal largesse that the US administration has embarked upon. But yes...wine represents only 1.2pct of total Australian exports (according to a quick Google search) so relatively punitive. The more concerning factor is that roughly 63pct of Australian wine is exported...and you'd have to imagine a big portion of that is China...that means some of the wine makers will be under pressure to fold unless the Australian or other global consumers make up a big gap..?

I think it's uncharted waters again for the $AUD and we probably need a weaker currency as we set out for new markets. Zero yield and a hostile China would have once sent it tumbling. I still believe the "straw" is iron ore. Granted USD weakness.

I hope the issue is resolved for winemakers. It is healthy to seek new markets. But where? Perhaps the UK? The USA certainly if the currency weaker. A little bit here and there with trade deals. Government assistance will be interesting in what form and what level of creativity?

Wherever you sit on the Australian political fence, the present hostility from China's CCP was eventually inevitable. COVID just brought it forward a few years.

[marsalla]

At the start of the crisis there was a lot of talk about how pandemics had often acted as catalysts for radical change in societal structures, etc etc, but beyond a bit of pot banging for the NHS and a few more people likely to keep working from home I don't feel like we have really seen it play out. Maybe it happens with a delay? It would be nice if a few things changed for the better as a result of this awful year!

Barbara Tuchmans ' A distant Mirror' is a good read for the effects of calamitous time of climate and social change and plague.

[phillisc]

See that TWE plan to direct fruit back to Seppelts and Wynns to off set the China losses...and supposedly to improve the quality of these wines, that have had fruit 'stolen' from them for years
Perhaps they can let Sue Hodder and Allan Jenkins have a run at the Pennies vineyards in Coonawarra


Cheers Craig

[rens]

See that TWE plan to direct fruit back to Seppelts and Wynns to off set the China losses...and supposedly to improve the quality of these wines, that have had fruit 'stolen' from them for years
Perhaps they can let Sue Hodder and Allan Jenkins have a run at the Pennies vineyards in Coonawarra


Cheers Craig

Does this mean the Penfolds bin ranges will again become affordable? (Not holding breath)
I may even buy a few if 389 goes under $50.

[marsalla]

See that TWE plan to direct fruit back to Seppelts and Wynns to off set the China losses...and supposedly to improve the quality of these wines, that have had fruit 'stolen' from them for years
Perhaps they can let Sue Hodder and Allan Jenkins have a run at the Pennies vineyards in Coonawarra


Cheers Craig

I reckon Allan is pretty across the Coonawarra vineyards...

[phillisc]

Tongue in cheek Marsalla...but reckon you're right. Wynn's/TWE have Cath Kidman and Ben Harris who know the vines well. If 128 and 407 were pruned right back that would be a great start. Think both would sell better if they had a black label on them
Cheers Craig

[sjw_11]

At the start of the crisis there was a lot of talk about how pandemics had often acted as catalysts for radical change in societal structures, etc etc, but beyond a bit of pot banging for the NHS and a few more people likely to keep working from home I don't feel like we have really seen it play out. Maybe it happens with a delay? It would be nice if a few things changed for the better as a result of this awful year!

Barbara Tuchmans ' A distant Mirror' is a good read for the effects of calamitous time of climate and social change and plague.

Looks interesting, I've ordered it off [That Online Business we shall not name]... Hopefully I should get some time to read over the xmas period.

(A funny thing with online books here in France- and a classic example of bureaucratic meddling failing to achieve the desired outcome- they passed a law to help independent book sellers which prohibits free shipping of online book orders. So even prime members here pay ... the grand sum of 1cent per book delivered.)

[JamieBahrain]

I dropped a bottle of Aussie wine off to my colleagues in China just before the pandemic hit. The rank and file don't reflect the hostility of the CCP. Dozens of Aussie flags and kangaroos.

Cabin Crew mail-boxes :


[url=https://postimg.cc/rKg6Qg43][img]https://i.postimg.cc/t4GXRM4q/BCEDE6-FB-DF86 ... -D3-F6.png[/img][/url][url=https://thesawmillgrill.com/]delivery food carolina beach nc[/url]

[marsalla]

At the start of the crisis there was a lot of talk about how pandemics had often acted as catalysts for radical change in societal structures, etc etc, but beyond a bit of pot banging for the NHS and a few more people likely to keep working from home I don't feel like we have really seen it play out. Maybe it happens with a delay? It would be nice if a few things changed for the better as a result of this awful year!

Barbara Tuchmans ' A distant Mirror' is a good read for the effects of calamitous time of climate and social change and plague.

Looks interesting, I've ordered it off [That Online Business we shall not name]... Hopefully I should get some time to read over the xmas period.

(A funny thing with online books here in France- and a classic example of bureaucratic meddling failing to achieve the desired outcome- they passed a law to help independent book sellers which prohibits free shipping of online book orders. So even prime members here pay ... the grand sum of 1cent per book delivered.)

Hope you enjoy it, the principle character's donjon is not that far from Paris.

[marsalla]

At the start of the crisis there was a lot of talk about how pandemics had often acted as catalysts for radical change in societal structures, etc etc, but beyond a bit of pot banging for the NHS and a few more people likely to keep working from home I don't feel like we have really seen it play out. Maybe it happens with a delay? It would be nice if a few things changed for the better as a result of this awful year!

Barbara Tuchmans ' A distant Mirror' is a good read for the effects of calamitous time of climate and social change and plague.

Looks interesting, I've ordered it off [That Online Business we shall not name]... Hopefully I should get some time to read over the xmas period.

(A funny thing with online books here in France- and a classic example of bureaucratic meddling failing to achieve the desired outcome- they passed a law to help independent book sellers which prohibits free shipping of online book orders. So even prime members here pay ... the grand sum of 1cent per book delivered.)

Hope you enjoy it, the principle character's donjon is not that far from Paris.

[Alex F]

Surely the solution is to sell double magnums or something.

"containers of two-litres or less are subject to a ‘Provisional Measure’ deposit rate of 169.3 per cent"

[tarija]

Surely the solution is to sell double magnums or something.

"containers of two-litres or less are subject to a ‘Provisional Measure’ deposit rate of 169.3 per cent"

Penfolds should ship the wine to China in large bladders. Then bottle it in China. Tariff avoided.

[swirler]

Surely the solution is to sell double magnums or something.

"containers of two-litres or less are subject to a ‘Provisional Measure’ deposit rate of 169.3 per cent"

Penfolds should ship the wine to China in large bladders. Then bottle it in China. Tariff avoided.

You can't beat the CCP like that. They will just change the rules if Treasury try that. They are master of taking advantage of loopholes, so know all the tricks and gain great pride 'winning' the game and hate losing like T****.

I reckon the CCP card holders who partly or fully own wineries in Australia will do that:

Château Yaldara (Barossa)
Ferngrove (Frankland)
Helen & Joey (Yarra Valley)
Greenstone (Yarra Valley)
Hollick (Coonawarra)
Sunshine Creek (Yarra Valley)
Greenock Creek (Barossa)
Aus Swan Creek (Barossa)
Kilikanoon (Clare Valley)
Reis Creek (Barossa)
Handpicked Wine (Mornington, Yarra Valley)
Lilydale Estate (Yarra Valley)
Allandale Estate (Hunter Valley)
Burge Family Wine (Barossa)
Seville Estate (Yarra Valley)
Balgownie Estate (Yarra Valley, Bendigo)
Barmah Winery (Mornington Peninsula)
Lake Cooper Estate (Heathcote)
Cimicky (Barossa)
Green Dragon (Barossa)
Max's Vineyard (Barossa)
Belvidere Winery (Langhorne Creek)
Knappstein Winery (Clare Valley)
Project Wine (Langhorne Creek)
Hillcrest Winery (Yarra Valley)
Wild Cattle Creek (Yarra Valley)
Capercaillie Wine (Hunter Valley)
Hemera Estate formerly Ross Estate (Barossa)
Nocton Vineyard (Tasmania)
Palinda Wines (Margaret River)

[Mahmoud Ali]

I'm not sure that shipping wine in bladders (or vats or casks) makes a difference. The tariffs are on wine imports not the type of container.

What is the the list of wineries, the ones subject to the tariff?

Mahmoud.

[Dragzworthy]

I'm not sure that shipping wine in bladders (or vats or casks) makes a difference. The tariffs are on wine imports not the type of container.

What is the the list of wineries, the ones subject to the tariff?

Mahmoud.

I assume it was a list of wineries with CCP connections...amazed if that's right!

[swirler]

Correct

[Mahmoud Ali]

CCP connections, what does that mean? Do they have Chinese investors or are they merely exporters to a Chinese wholesaler/importer.

[JamieBahrain]

Burge Family Wine (Barossa)

I recall being at cellar door when the winery for sale and the staff saying Rick was hoping to sell locally. Seemed clear to me at the time there would be more money from abroad.

Burge family winemakers belong to the Wilsford Group PTY LTD currently. Recently, it launched in Chinese Market, with the Chinese name “堡歌家族酒庄”.

[swirler]

All quiet on the Chinese Front. How are things now, Jamie? Are you and your family going to get vaccinated and return home anytime soon?

Happy New Year. Hope it goes well for you.

[JamieBahrain]

G'day Swirler

Yes, they play the long game, although that's not without its challenges too.

My family is repatriating now and are in hotel quarantine in Sydney. Despite some appalling sentiments coming out of Australia toward expats coming home, I'd have to say a bit of a thank you to Australian Consulate in HKG which seems to be working hard behind the scenes. Bringing home Australians is an economic stimulus in my view- as long as you don't bungle quarantine.

I'm very sad for Hong Kong. Love it or hate it for fair reason, it had a remarkable spirit. It will kick on in a different form post-COVID, in a very "controlled and orchestrated" manner that won't auger well for some ( including me ).

I've sold my house here and other assets. The real estate market was resilient thankfully despite eye watering prices. I'm here 'til April prior retiring or a sabbatical back home. I never achieved my ambitions for my Aussie Piedmont cellar so perhaps a sabbatical only!

[felixp21]

Agree, Jamie, it's heart-breaking to see what has happened in HK. Was up there with Shanghai as my favourite Asian city, but it just has that sad and desolate feel about it now (mind you, I haven't been there for nearly nine months, so I am assuming nothing has changed)
Hope all goes well for you, it must be such a tough time. I know the QF guys are really struggling, guess you are in that boat.
If you are ever in Melb, let me know and let's catch up over a bottle or three of good Burgundy

[JamieBahrain]

Thanks Felix...Dogs/Hawks game perhaps?

Hong Kong is still the best drinking in Asia. Wine deals are getting better and better. Since COVID it's obviously become a sadder place- though far better than Melbourne! High density living is terrifying for many and we consequently had high demand for our house out Sai Kung way where we've been unaffected by riots and the virus. Families looking to move their elderly parents and have the space of a three story village house to maintain a semblance of sanity- versus a 800 square foot apartment in Kowloon.

QF guys doing it hard. One airline career would be nice if not a little boring. If it wasn't for the Piedmont cellar situation think I'd be done flying. Maybe I'll do a contract somewhere to top it up.

[kenzo]

Hi Jamie - wow - wishing you the best for what must be a truly difficult time. I had very much enjoyed my visits both pre- and post-UK handover...I'm sure many had similar fears back then, but this is certainly different. At least you will have unfettered access to your Australian cellar - I haven't seen mine except on and off for 20 years...
On a more selfish note I've been trying to find vendors in HK who will ship wine overseas to Japan to take both advantage of their pricing and Japan's also relatively low tax on wine imports - do you know of any?

[JamieBahrain]

Hi Kenzo. Not sure of which vendors although the connections are pretty strong between the two nations so there should be somebody.

Otherwise you could have the wines dropped off for free to these guys?

http://www.yamatohk.com.hk/en/

[Dragzworthy]

Thanks Felix...Dogs/Hawks game perhaps?

Hong Kong is still the best drinking in Asia. Wine deals are getting better and better. Since COVID it's obviously become a sadder place- though far better than Melbourne! High density living is terrifying for many and we consequently had high demand for our house out Sai Kung way where we've been unaffected by riots and the virus. Families looking to move their elderly parents and have the space of a three story village house to maintain a semblance of sanity- versus a 800 square foot apartment in Kowloon.

QF guys doing it hard. One airline career would be nice if not a little boring. If it wasn't for the Piedmont cellar situation think I'd be done flying. Maybe I'll do a contract somewhere to top it up.

Who's the dogs supporter and who's hawks? I'm one of the latter. I've decided to stick it out in Singapore...hear you on the negativity around expats going home front. I have hope that the borders will open up sometime this year (Q3 is my bet) but I'll probably not be in a rush to make a trip home (Melbourne) given the kids (6 and 2 by then) as the logistics around quarantine with them would be impractical and a nightmare.

[JamieBahrain]

The Burgundy drinker is the Hawks supporter.

The Doggies supporter the Barbera guy.

I've been on a few social media groups of Australians trying to get home. Some real tragic stories where Australians through no fault of their own are stranded. Many are now what DFAT politely classes as "vulnerable"- in some cases they are told by DFAT to stay in homeless shelters. Probably doesn't make the Aussie press as there appears to be high political agenda with COVID.

And yes, I'd avoid Melbourne like the plague. From the same social media groups it appears quarantine is a punishment for those repatriating. Families locked and sealed in a tiny single room with a double bed. I've a friend who mans the desk in the hallway and is paid 120K a year- she's QF cabin crew so well qualified for the job versus Dan's last debacle.

Anyways, all very un-Australian in my view. Just wait until the borders re-open and Australians start travelling again. The same Aussies saying lock them out will want full consular support or a military rescue if their holiday abroad comes to grief.

[Polymer]

Tons of Aussies in LA that are stranded...and they're the lucky ones since there is an actual direct flight. The ones that actually need to pass through a location are doing it real tough because of how unpredictable getting a flight seems to be (although there seems to be enough information out there that makes it easier for some).

[Benchmark]

Just sent my AUS cellar to auction. We won't be back.

[JamieBahrain]

Just sent my AUS cellar to auction. We won't be back.

All OK I hope Grant?