There are good public wine tastings and there are bad public wine tastings. The difference between the good ones and the bad ones can be quite dramatic. The bad ones are in crappy locations, are poorly organized, offer no food, and only mediocre wines. The good ones are, well, just the opposite -- nicely organized, well catered, and offer great wines. And the best ones?  read more »

Spent most of the day at Denbies winery ( www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk ) doing a photoshoot for the Sunday Express . This required the services of quite a team: a photographer plus her assistant, a make-up person, the section editor plus her assistant, the art editor, the fashion stylist and me. I was dressed in a white linen suit, brown shoes and a panama hat. While we were shooting in the vineyards a team of cyclists passed us and one of them commented loudly, 'It's the man from del monte'. I was embarrassed. We shot pictures in the cellar, too.  read more »

Remarkable tasting today, titled 'Landmark Australia', held by Wine Australia at Australia House in the Strand. Despite an encounter with a doorman who lacked any people skills whatsoever (I was strongly ticked off for being early), it was a fantastic event. The idea was to showcase Australia's 'proud and exceptional history of fine wine'. There's one thing you have to admire the Aussies for, and that's their self-belief. When this comes to wine this is exemplified by their show system, where judgements are made with a degree of certainty and confidence that worries me slightly. Still, the show system has undoubtedly helped in the pursuit of quality (or, at least, a self-sustaining Aussie-centric perception of quality), even though it may have stifled innovation to a degree in the past.  read more »

The Boeing Co. [NYSE: BA] is changing the name of its Integrated Defense Systems business in Australia to Boeing Defence Australia. John Duddy was appointed vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia effective Dec. 8. (BA)

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A record number of people from the UK are choosing to move abroad to places such as Australia, a new study has found. Research by removals firm Allied Pickfords revealed that more people than ever before are currently relocating overseas from Britain.  read more »

Britons who want to live abroad could find Australia a good place to live, according to property experts.

ShelterOffshore.com stated that the country is currently very popular with migrants from the UK, as it offers both lifestyle and financial benefits.

However, the website recommended that people research the market thoroughly before committing to a move.

"It can take time to get through the emigration process and this time can be well spent researching the market in Australia," it commented.  read more »

Overseas property investors in the UK have been advised to consider purchasing a residence in Australia.

According to the Foreign Property Buyer website, there is currently very strong demand for housing in the antipodean nation.

This was partly attributed to the fact that Australia's population is continuing to rise.

Specifically, the country was said to be very popular with migrant workers, in particular skilled professionals who want a good job and a high standard of living.

Foreign Property Buyer added this demand means that Australia is well-placed to weather the ongoing turbulence in the global economy.  read more »

Many workers from the UK would be willing to relocate to Australia, a new survey has revealed.

According to Manpower, the country is an attractive option for the 53 per cent of Britons who would consider working overseas.

Mark Cahill, managing director of the organisation, said some British people are keen to venture abroad as it would be a good opportunity to experience a new culture.

He added that since many foreign migrants are seeking employment in the UK, the movement of UK nationals overseas would not present a problem to employers.

Mr Cahill commented: "Today's labour market has a constant circulation of workers - out of the UK as well as into the country."  read more »

The European Commission has expanded the EU's wine agreement with Australia to protect Bulgarian and Romanian producers.

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Costco Wholesale Corp , an
aggressive U.S. discount retailer, said global financial
turmoil and an economic slowdown in Australia have not slowed
its expansion plans.