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Qantas and Austrade partner up
to provide “Tasty Training” to the Thai wine industry
The Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) recently joined with the iconic Australian airline – Qantas, in delivering training in the wine regions, wine style and specific Australian labels for Qantas cabin crew, Thai wine industry, including retailers, wholesalers and wine writers.
The training, held at the Banyan Tree, supports Australia’s position as the third largest wine exporter to Thailand (with a 20% share) behind France and Italy, and the second largest by value (32%) behind France. Thailand is a unique market for wine, distinguished by its openness and acceptance of new world wines – appreciating Australian quality wines at affordable prices.
This training initiative, developed through the commitment Qantas holds to skilling their cabin crew with the knowledge and appreciation of wines served on board, is part of an international roll out taking in international locations such as Auckland, Bangkok and London and will see approximately 600 staff increased their knowledge and confidence of Australian wine. “Our wine training is ongoing – it’s really all about growth for the crew and giving the premium experience to our customers” said Mr John Mills, Manager Cabin Crew Training and Communications.
Australian Trade Commissioner, Jodie McAlister stated that it was a particularly good time to grow the knowledge and appreciation of Australian wines as the products enjoy an annually increasing tariff benefit under the Thai Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA). “Currently the TAFTA tariff on wine is 32%, while normal MFN rate is 54%. The Free Trade Agreement is making Australian wine more price competitive in a price conscious market”.
Wines to be profiled include well known brands to Thailand such as the Seppelt DP 63 Rutherglen Muscat and the ‘St Henri’ Shiraz from the Penfolds stable, distributed locally by Bangkok Beer and Beverages who relaunched the Penfolds brand recently at a function hosted by the Australian Ambassador. The Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon from the Margaret River, WA can be purchased from Estima, while the Yering Station Reserve Shiraz-Viognier is imported by Nicolas. The excellent dessert wine De Bortoli ‘Noble One’ Botrytis Semillon, ideally served with a blue cheese, can be sourced from Strategic Catering.
Wine merchants such as Festive Wines represent featured labels including Gembrook Sauvignon Blanc, Turkey Flat Rose, Paringa Estate Pinot Noir and Balnaves “The Tally” Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot. Many other quality Australian wines can be purchased from retailers such as Wine Care, Villa Market, Makro, Foodland and the Central Food Retail outlets.