Five go mad in battle of the bottle

After eight years of providing a platform to find the best of the best wines from the Southern Hemisphere, the Tri Nations Wine Challenge is expanding.
It's now one of the most highly regarded and popular shows in this part of the world and it's time Australia, New Zealand and South Africa let some new blood join the ring. The Four Seasons Hotel Wine of the Show is the top prize of the competition, which this year went to the Craggy Range Te Muna Road Vineyard for its Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008.
In August, Argentinean Fabrico Portelli and Chilean Eduardo Brethauer join the judging tables to create the Five Nations Wine Challenge. Both judges have been endorsed by their countries and come to the challenge with loads of wine-tasting experience. Huon Hooke (Australia); Michael Fridjohn (South Africa) and master of wine Bob Campbell (New Zealand) will continue to represent their countries. This year, Hooke is chairman, a position that rotates annually.
The interesting thing about this show is that all entries are by invitation rather than open entry like other competitions. Each judge submits a total of 100 wines covering 14 classes in an effort to win Country of the Show for their home nation. New Zealand has won this trophy for the past two years.
World Buskers FestivalIf you're heading towards southern climes over the next few weeks make sure you take in some of the World Buskers Festival happening in Christchurch from January 20 to 30.
After 18 years, the festival has grown to more than 500 international and local performances that take place over 10 days and nights, on the street and in popular Christchurch venues, to crowds of about 300,000.
What makes the World Buskers Festival special is that the entire festival is donation only - you pay only what you think they are worth. Sponsor Stoneleigh Wines is bringing some food and wineto the festival with its Festival Fare programme.
Seventeen leading Christchurch restaurants are taking part,
so for the ideal dining experience before or after one of the shows
on offer, visit any of the featured establishments to enjoy a Festival Fare meal and a glass of Stoneleigh wine for only $30.
Christchurch's Arts Centre is again hosting cabaret and circus-style comedy every evening from 7pm throughout the festival at the Stoneleigh Arts Centre Comedy Club.
Stoneleigh will also pop up throughout the Festival in the form of an alfresco bar in the heart of Christchurch's Cathedral Square, as part of the Pacific Blue Comedy Club.
"Stoneleigh is passionate about encouraging partnerships with the arts and we're thrilled to be associated with the World Buskers Festival, that once again looks set to showcase extraordinary talent," says Marisa Johnstone, Stoneleigh brand manager.
For the full programme, visit www.worldbuskersfestival.com