Specific Questions about the readings

Today we are reading Duarte Alonso, A., & Northcote, J. (2009). Wine, history, landscape: origin branding in Western Australia. British Food Journal (1966)111(11), 1248–1259. https://www-proquest-com.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/docview/225133116?accountid=14771Links to an external site.

What is “origin branding”?

Origin branding focuses on heritage (history) and landscape characteristics that concentrates on the wider “rural idyll”.

How did Australia’s wine industry first develop?

Although Australia has been engaged in planting grapes for a long time, it is an emerging country in wine industry, the situation of which was changed by immigration. Its wine industry was first developed in the category of wines production. For example, fortified wines were popular in the middle of 20th century. 

What are the arguments for and against origin branding in Western Australia?

Origin branding has been assumed to be one of the most important selling points for wines among customers and a possible major element in appealing wine-oriented travellers. Western Australia, as an emerging wine growing region, has no history related to wine heritage. In this case, it explores alternatives to build its branding to sell wines and attract tourists.

The essay talks about “local cultural identity” (p.1256). What does this mean to you? How might origin branding affect local cultural identity?

Local culture could act as a label for a group of people and residents, who have common beliefs, customs and values. This kind of identity could help people to behave in a united way. Origin branding centering on history and landscape could help to preserve and develop local cultural identity.

What factors helped create your “local cultural identity”? That is, how do you think about where you are from, and what forces (economic, political, or cultural) helped to shape those thoughts?

   I was born in Beijing, the capital of China. As a capital city, Beijing is considered as the economic, political, and cultural center all over China. A large number of companies are located there to felicitate its economic development. In addition, it has been the capital city for several emperors and present political center. Apart from this, the culture there is diversified as there are a wide variety of people from all parts of China and the world.