China connection

Bendigo Weekly | Bendigo Weekly | 30-Sep-2011

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Winemaker Wes Vine is fast becoming something of a China expert.

Although he had not ever thought of travelling there just a few years ago, when he visited Nanjing on a trade mission organised by the Victorian government in 2008, it was the beginning of what has become a massive part of his Mandurang Valley wine business.

Next month, Wes will head off to Nanjing for his eighth visit. At the same time a big order of his red wines heads north too: not just in bottles we normally associate with a table cab sav, but in double magnums, imperial (six litre) and salmanazar (nine litre) bottles.

Apparently, the Chinese have discovered a taste for Australian reds, and presentation-size bottles are all the rage. 

Mandurang Valley has been working flat out to fill, seal, label and package 1100 double magnums, 600 imperials and a dozen of the mighty salmanazars.

“We had exported a little to China before the trade visit,” Wes said.

“But I didn’t expect the business in China to increase this much this quickly.”

Wes is also assisting the Chinese vineyard development. Jiangsu province has a climate similar to the Hunter Valley, he said. While he is not expecting the vintage to be as regular as it is in that part of New South Wales, there is every chance the region will develop into a good winemaking area.

He has become something of a Chinaphile in recent years, lured by the hospitality and generosity of the people.

Mandurang Valley is well known for their own hospitality and puts on a very fine table for visitors. He does not, however, plan to bring back any recipes to try out in his own kitchen.

“I really like the food, but I think it would take a bit much to try to put it on our own menu,” he said.

MARKET NEWS: Bendigo Community Farmers’ Market cranks up again next week (October 8) and this month they are putting on eco-art workshops for the kids. You can learn how to make a paper kite out of recycled paper and then decorate it with dried wildflowers.

TLPB - selling now

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