News

The Australian Government has advised that Australia will impose further sanctions against Russia in response to Russia’s invasion on Ukraine. Australia will prohibit the supply, sale or transfer of certain luxury goods directly or indirectly to, for use in, or for the benefit of Russia. From 12:01am on 7 April 2022, the export of wine …

The Australian wine sector has been asking for many years – what is the next big market after China, and could India be its replacement? The simple answer is no, at least not for some time and not without a lot of work to grow the market. India has always been a long-term prospect for …

Australian Grape & Wine takes an evidence-based and balanced approach in its work relating to alcohol and health issues, focusing on targeted policy interventions to address harmful alcohol consumption. We were therefore disappointed by a recent Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE) report into drinking during the Covid-19 pandemic, which sought to tie an …

In September 2021, Ministers Tehan and Goyal formally re-launched the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement negotiations( CECA)  and reaffirmed their commitment to conclude a CECA, including to reach an interim agreement by December 2021 to liberalise and deepen bilateral trade in goods and services, and to conclude the negotiations on a full CECA by the …

Australia – EU Free Trade Agreement The 12th Round of negotiations were held virtually between 7-18 February.  The round saw progress made in a number of areas including government procurement, second round of market access offers and progression across a number of chapter texts. For wine relevant ongoing discussions include the treatment of the Wine …

The Australian process for ratification of the Australia-UK FTA is now underway with the initiation of an inquiry into and report on the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  This is part of the normal ratification process of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and once completed …

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. To celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2022, Australian Grape & Wine’s Diversity Equality & Inclusion in Wine (DEIW) Committee commissioned a short video montage …

With 2021 behind us, it would be nice to think we could go into 2022 with some optimism, but the new year comes with a new set of challenges. Closure of the China market, freight shortages and a record 2.1million tonne 2021 vintage have converged to create a concerning supply demand imbalance. Many wine producers …

A further challenge for the sector currently concerns energy labelling. In response to a request from food ministers, FSANZ has been exploring energy labelling of alcoholic beverages. In June 2021, FSANZ completed an evidence assessment, including a literature review on consumer value, understanding and behaviour relating to energy labelling of alcoholic beverages, which concluded that labelling is …

Many of you will have heard about the United Kingdom’s (UK) review of alcohol taxation. When launching the review, the UK Government set out three objectives that reform should address: a) Simplifying the current system; b) Making the basis of alcohol taxation more economically rational, with fewer distortions and arbitrary distinctions; and c) Reducing the …