Wine soiree for Canty?

Christchurch could host a conference for tourism and wine experts next year as part of its membership of the Great Wine Capitals Global Network.

The Canterbury, Marlborough and Central Otago winegrowing regions have beaten competition from Hawke's Bay to join the network.

The network, which includes renowned winegrowing regions such as Bordeaux in France and the Napa Valley in California, encourages wine tourism and co-operation among winegrowers around the world.

The Press understands the Christchurch City Council plans to hold a network conference this time next year.

Cr Sue Wells attended this month's conference in Bordeaux to accept Christchurch's membership in the network.

The division of the $35,000 annual membership fee among winegrowers and the Christchurch, Hurunui, Marlborough, Kaikoura and Central Otago councils has not yet been agreed.

Central Otago Mayor Malcolm McPherson said his council would be able to give only about $1000 to the subscription.

His council would consider the subscription fee at its next budget round early next year, but winegrowers should pay most of the fee.

"We are not going to be much of a contributor to that. Realistically, the principal beneficiary of this is the industry, and it should contribute."

McPherson said possible benefits of the network were unproven.

"It is hard to see how this will reach a worldwide audience."

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule said Hawke's Bay missed out on membership because it did not have a big enough city.