Bulk wine price recovery improves New Zealand performance
May 22nd, 2013

Bulk wine price recovery improves New Zealand performance

An increase in the average per litre value of bulk wine exports to the UK market has helped improve the overall performance of New Zealand’s wine exports, according to the latest data from New Zealand Winegrowers. With the per litre value of UK bulk exports up 24% so far this year, overall per litre values for NZ wine exports are the highest for two years at $8.24 for the March 2013 quarter.

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Japanese buy New Zealand liquor retailer
May 21st, 2013

Japanese buy New Zealand liquor retailer

Asahi-owned Independent Liquor has announced its purchase of The Mill liquor retail chain. The purchase price of the 35 store chain has not been disclosed, and the company says it intends to franchise the stores sometime in the future.

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Gut bacteria resist E. coli infections
May 21st, 2013

Gut bacteria resist E. coli infections

A cocktail of non-pathogenic bacteria naturally occurring in the digestive tract of healthy humans can protect against a potentially lethal E. coli infection in animal models, according to new research. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor, could have important implications for the prevention or even treatment of this disease.

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Australian vegetable growers back Green Party proposal on Country of Origin
May 21st, 2013

Australian vegetable growers back Green Party proposal on Country of Origin

AUSVEG, the body representing Australian vegetable growers, is backing a proposal by the Australian Green Party to modify food-labelling laws to clarify country of origin status for produce. The proposal has been introduced in a bill currently before the Federal Senate.

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Horticulture New Zealand to investigate Zespri’s China problem
May 21st, 2013

Horticulture New Zealand to investigate Zespri’s China problem

Horticulture New Zealand has announced its intention to investigate charges that Zespri has been double invoicing shipments to China to avoid paying excise to the Chinese government. The announcement follows revelations in New Zealand media that Zespri was aware that its double invoicing policy was of doubtful legality in China.

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Keith’s Take: Are master chefs pussies or show ponies?
May 21st, 2013

Keith’s Take: Are master chefs pussies or show ponies?

Here we go again, the finals of the latest New Zealand MasterChef approach, simultaneously promoting culinary skills and demeaning the term ‘master’, at least in the association with chefs. If the winner of this event is a master chef, then chefs are pussies and our restaurant trade is doomed.

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An even better butter
May 21st, 2013

An even better butter

Lewis Road Creamery has just upped the stakes in premium butter production with the launch of its latest product it calls the ‘Grand Cru’ of the butter world.

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Award-winning celebrity chef Simon Gault cooks up a storm for Cure Kids
May 21st, 2013

Award-winning celebrity chef Simon Gault cooks up a storm for Cure Kids

Queenstowners will have their first chance to see award-winning celebrity chef Simon Gault in action at a charity evening to be held at Jervois Steak House in the Sofitel Queenstown on Saturday June 1 2013. The award-winning chef, who is also a judge on TV1’s MasterChef show, has prepared a special seven-course degustation menu for the event with all proceeds from the night going to Cure Kids.

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French tonnelier plans two workshops at Wine Industry Conference in July
May 21st, 2013

French tonnelier plans two workshops at Wine Industry Conference in July

Seguin Moreau will be conducting two workshops as part of the 15th Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference at Sydney in July. The WineTech Workshop W02 “Premium Oak Selection — a new direction for the future”, conducted by Graeme Little and Dr Kerry Wilkinson on Saturday 13th July 9am-1pm.

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New Zealand meat continues to be shut out of China
May 20th, 2013

New Zealand meat continues to be shut out of China

Whatever the real cause, New Zealand meat shipments to China continue to be stalled at the wharf while bureaucrats wrangle over purported documentation issues. Opposition politicians in New Zealand are blaming poor administration by the Ministry of Primary Industries, while the Ministers responsible claim it is merely a glitch.

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Culture divides attitudes to olive oil decision
May 20th, 2013

Culture divides attitudes to olive oil decision

UK media have called the latest food decision by the EU as a ‘diktat’ by demanding olive oil is presented in sealed, tamper-proof packaging. But the decision has been greeted enthusiastically by Spanish and Italian restaurateurs and olive oil producers as an advance towards in cleaning up persistent fraud in the oil trade.

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History of farming gets a shake up
May 20th, 2013

History of farming gets a shake up

Archaeologists have made a discovery in southern subtropical China which could revolutionise thinking about how ancient humans lived in the region.

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