World Wine Consumption Slump

World wine consumption dropped to a 27-year low, according to International Organisation of Vine and Wine. In 2023 inflation pushed up prices and eroded household budgets, prompting consumers to buy fewer bottles. Total consumption was down 2.6%. That’s equivalent to an estimated 800 million fewer bottles being uncorked globally, led by the US, France and China.

Meanwhile, global wine production fell 9.6% in 2023. The vintage is the smallest since 1961 after ‘extreme’ weather slashed grape harvests around the planet.

Sparkling wines such as Champagne and Prosecco were the bright spot in 2023 and have seen ‘incredible growth’, with production and consumption tripling since 2002. 

First estimates for Southern Hemisphere wine production in 2024, indicate that it may rise around 5%, based on early data. Favourable growing conditions have been reported in Australia and Argentina. 

Let's hope our growing season shows similar promise. 

Worst European wine harvest in 62 years

A new report shows where has wine production dried up the most in Europe. And they are blaming it mostly on climate change. The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) says production hit its lowest level since 1962. This intergovernmental organisation has 50 member states, representing 75 per cent of the world’s vineyard area.

Albariño bud burst

 

Albariño

Finally, the Albariño vines that are still alive have burst with life! We've lost quite a few of the 25 vines we planted, but it's nice to see that some survived. They are not thriving like the others, but they live. 

Interestingly, the Chardonnay are the most vigorous leafing this year, while the Solaris are well ahead of the Rondo. The Pinot Noir are waiting for warmer weather to show their foliage. The Solaris buds are the most robust of all. 

Albariño

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

Solaris

Mr Ratty and Mr Rabbit discussing the new season

Short season grapes

Whereas British vineyards are switching to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it appears that Canadian provinces are moving to Gamay, the predominant grape grown in Beaujolais. As Gamay is another short-season grape variety, perhaps we should be planting some of that as well to replace the Albarino. 

Well, maybe we won't be planting anything more given the shite weather we've been having. Unrelenting wind, unrelenting rain. As of yesterday, we've had 89 mm of rain, close to the 96.8 mm LTA. I'd say that today we will have reached the LTA and the month of April will prove to be a washout. The poor farmers haven't been able to plant their crops nor let their animals out on the land. 

At least we won't die of thirst. 

Leafing!

The Rondo has started to leaf, while the others remain just cracked open. The weather has sent us relentless wind and showers on and off. Will it ever be nice again?

A morning of solace

 

This morning, it did not rain. It felt like the first time in forever. This evening it bucketed. When will it ever end?

I managed to get out and do some weeding in the veg garden. Took away a giant load but you cannot even tell I did anything at all. So frustrating. 

Ghostie and I took a walk through the vineyard. The Rondo and Solaris are coming along but no leaves yet. 

Last week had some interesting events in the USA including a total eclipse of the sun and lightning strike on Lady Liberty. Not my thing anymore. I'd rather watch the grapes grow. 

Two days of Storm Kathleen

The wind blew but thankfully the rain didn't overwhelm. There were showers. The wind didn't blow that hard. The strongest gust was 78.3 knots. But it kept going and going. And it blew the water straight into Clew Bay on one of the highest tide dates of the year. So of course we were home-bound for several hours. I barely made it home in time. The water was actually coming in at a very rapid pace. White breakers were crashing on our driveway. 

The next day, I walked up to check for damage in the vineyard and was pleasantly surprised. No obvious damage. The vines had not yet leafed, and the Albarino was finally looking reasonably good with swollen buds. Phew!

Solaris

Rondo

Pinot Noir

Chardonnay

Albarino

Surprisingly, the plum tree has bloomed for the first time and the blossoms were not blown away. 

Plus I discovered a new friend hanging out in the polytunnel. Feral Ginger is making herself at home.