It was a really bad year for Italy, Spain and France, which account for 45% of the world's production. Frost during flowering , wet spring and early summer brought mildew, and it was followed by months of drought, causing low yield but high quality. Germany, Hungary and Romania had better weather and higher yields so the EU will still account for about 58% of total yield.
The Southern Hemisphere recorded its highest yield ever following relatively favourable climatic conditions everywhere except New Zealand, whose yield was down 19% on last year’s but was of exceptional quality. Frosts and cool weather during the flowering season were factors in the drop in NZ. The Southern Hemisphere accounts for about a quarter of all production.
Meanwhile, China dove into the wine business about a decade ago and was growing exponentially when the Chinese government decided to regulate the industry and cut production quotas by 50% for this year. Overall global wine production was below average for the third year in a row. What is most worrying for the wine industry is that most of the factors involved in the declining yield can be traced to climate change. The long-term consequences mean business unpredictability, crop failures, displaced populations and damaged ecosystems wrought by heat waves, drought, extreme rainfall, flash floods, wildfires and pests.
Most of the wine grape growers are already adapting to the changing conditions. They say vines are extremely adaptable. Maybe we are not so stupid after all.
