THE former boss of a South Australian wine company has been found guilty of selling Chardonnay mixed with Sultana grape juice to companies including Hardy’s.
Andrew Hashim, former managing director of Rivers Wines, was convicted last week by Adelaide Magistrates Court on 34 counts of falsifying records.
Decanter reports that the scam was first uncovered in 2003, when thousands of litres of grape juice sent to major winemakers, including Hardy’s, was quarantined by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation after buyers raised doubts over the variety.
At the time, Chardonnay grapes were selling for $1000 a tonne, while Sultana grapes were worth $250 a tonne.
Financial penalties now face both Hashim and Rivers Wines and could run to 1.5 million Australian dollars.
FANCY a real food getaway? If the answer is yes then it might be time for a real romantic food break to Le Marche, Italy. Stay in the stone farmhouse of a working organic farm and explore the local hills on horseback, take a cooking lesson and enjoy a candlelit dinner. The mountain air and sensual food will be just what you need.
This region of Italy, Le Marche, is in central Italy next to Umbria and Tuscany. Not overrun by tourists, Le Marche is said to give a glimpse of the “real” Italy – nothing pretentious here, just regular people going about their lives. Le Marche is perfect for a mix of sight seeing and doing – medieval art and architecture, hiking, horseback riding and sun worshiping at the beach are just a few things you can do. Food of course is very important to the “Marchigiani” and you can tailor your visit to revolve totally around food and drink – visits to vineyards, dairy farms, truffle hunts and hikes looking for wild fruit and veg.
As the trip can last three to six days, you can make your stay as packed with activities or as lazy as you want. The farmhouse has a mineral water pool to relax by which can rejuvenate and soothe. Besides food, Le Marche is famous for its natural mineral water springs.
When you’ve had enough of relaxing (if that’s possible) take a horseback riding excursion in the hills or you and your partner can learn how to make raviolis, pizza and other delicious treats. The surroundings of mountains and sea, beautiful flowers, farms, hills and fields will help you and your partner unwind and focus on each other rather than work, bills and all the other stresses of daily life. See www.latavolamarche.com for more details and pricing.
THE former boss of a South Australian wine company has been found guilty of selling Chardonnay mixed with Sultana grape juice to companies including Hardy’s.