Team C&J
Here’s some insight into the last week of wine. The US wine market is declining due to major wine companies reducing sales of inexpensive wine. Smaller wineries remain stable, and the market is expected to stabilize in late 2023 as pandemic-related inventory is reduced. White wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, is gaining popularity, while Rosé thrives in France. Billionaire Bill Foley’s California wine acquisitions are successful, and the Champagne harvest in 2023 is generous, while Spain’s is the smallest ever. Australia aims to reduce the wine industry’s CO₂ emissions. Investigations reveal poor labor conditions for Champagne grape pickers. Tennessee introduces a Wine Quality Assurance Program.
Wine Giants Weigh Down the Market | Wine-Searcher News & Features
The US wine market is experiencing a sales decline primarily due to reduced volume from the seven largest US wine companies, while smaller wineries remain relatively stable. The dominance of these major players has decreased over the years, partly because of a shift away from selling inexpensive wine. Despite a recent drop in overall sales, the wine market is expected to stabilize in the latter half of 2023 as retailers and wholesalers reduce excess inventory accumulated during the pandemic. Ready-to-drink cocktails are currently thriving, but their long-term sustainability compared to full bottles of spirits remains uncertain. Concerns are growing about negative health perceptions of alcohol consumption, particularly among younger adults, prompting the need for the industry to find ways to promote wine as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Is White Wine Enjoying a Sales Boom? Or Just Sauvignon Blanc?
E.&J. Gallo’s recent acquisition of Rombauer and Massican wineries has put the spotlight on white wine, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, which is experiencing a surge in popularity. While these wineries differ in size and approach, both are known for their white wine offerings. Gallo’s interest in these acquisitions raises questions about a potential resurgence in white wine sales. Although the overall wine market is stagnant, Sauvignon Blanc sales have risen by 1.2% to 16.6 million cases in 2022, making it a standout performer. This grape, once overshadowed by Chardonnay, has gained recognition for its refreshing, diverse styles, from affordable New Zealand options to premium Napa Valley selections, offering consumers a range of choices in a challenging wine market.
Rosé wine no longer just ‘Vin Piscine’
Rosé wine is becoming increasingly popular among the French, especially among younger consumers, as they shift away from traditional red wines in favor of lighter, less alcoholic options even during colder months. This trend marks a departure from the historical preference for punchy, alcoholic Bordeaux bottles. Domestic demand for red wine in France has halved since the 1990s, despite the earlier ‘French paradox’ claims about the health benefits of red wine and the global popularity of Bordeaux wines. The average wine consumption per person in France has dropped from 100 liters in 1975 to 40 liters today. Rosé wines now account for 19% of wine consumption in the country, with factors like ease of drinking, lower tannin content, and a more festive feel contributing to their appeal.
Foley Sees Several California Acquisitions Take Off
Billionaire Bill Foley’s recent acquisitions of California wine brands are proving successful, with three labels earning Impact “Hot Prospect” awards. One of these acquisitions, Silverado Vineyards in Napa Valley, purchased for over $150 million, experienced a 34% growth to 52,000 cases last year, driven by its high-quality, single-vineyard wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon expressions. Additionally, brands Banshee and Rickshaw, acquired in 2018, saw significant growth, with Banshee offering approachable Sonoma County wines and Rickshaw focusing on California Certified sustainably grown estate fruit, appealing to younger wine enthusiasts.
Vine Cliff Winery in Oakville AVA Sold to Quiet Owner
Vine Cliff Winery, a family-owned Napa Valley winery located in the Oakville American Viticultural Area, has been sold to an entity controlled by the head of a global security company based in Montreal, Canada, following the divorce agreement of Nell and Charles “Chuck” Sweeney, who owned the property since the mid-1980s. The sale encompasses nearly 100 acres of land, including the winery, vineyards, caves, and a residence, with the real estate alone sold for $42.1 million. The buyer, SCW Fund Corp., is controlled by Stephan Cretier, who also owns Roy Estate, another Napa Valley winery. The future plans for Vine Cliff remain undisclosed, and details of the purchase price and transaction were not disclosed by the involved parties.
Champagne harvest 2023: A bumper crop – Decanter
The 2023 Champagne harvest has set records for generosity, with grapes averaging 200g compared to an expected 140g, and some bunches reaching 1.2kg. Factors contributing to this bumper crop include a lack of spring frost damage and an exceptional flowering period in June. Although the yield is generous, there were challenges in the form of disease pressure towards the end of the growing season. Chardonnay seems to have fared well in this vintage, particularly in the Côte des Blancs, while Pinot Noir and Meunier experienced more varied results. Sorting grapes in the vineyard was essential for maintaining quality in 2023, as all Champagne grapes are harvested as whole bunches. The harvest offers potential for high-quality wines, but success depends on the meticulous management of the process.
Smallest Spanish Harvest Ever Recorded | Meininger’s International
Spain is expected to have its smallest wine harvest in history, with a projected yield of around 34.25 million hectoliters, representing a 16.6% decrease from the previous year. Hotter regions like Catalonia are experiencing the most significant reductions, with a 28% drop compared to 2022. Castile-La Mancha, despite being the largest wine-producing region, is also seeing a substantial loss, with a 21.6% decrease to 17.89 million hectoliters. However, regions influenced by cooling effects from the Atlantic or the Cantabrian Mountains, such as Galicia and Rioja, are experiencing growth in their harvests this season.
Australia Aims to Decarbonize Its Wine Industry | Meininger’s International
Australia’s wine industry is targeting a more than 40% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030, with the release of an “Emissions Reduction Roadmap” developed in collaboration with sustainability consultants at Edge Impact. The roadmap, created with input from over 200 industry members, provides practical solutions to reduce emissions throughout the grape and wine sector’s supply chain. Initiatives include optimizing data-driven decisions, transitioning to renewable energies, using low-emission transportation, and exploring lightweight glass bottles, solar panels, flotation, and electro-dialysis as eco-friendly alternatives. This roadmap aligns with Wine Australia’s strategy to make the industry more sustainable and competitive on a global scale.
Champagne Pickers Treated ‘Like Dogs’ | Wine-Searcher News & Features
French public prosecutors have launched two human trafficking investigations after authorities closed down accommodation sites for more than 50 African grape pickers who were working during the Champagne harvest. The pickers were reportedly housed in squalid and inhumane conditions with inadequate facilities. They claimed to be malnourished, unpaid, and treated like slaves. The investigations focus on recruitment agencies involved in the hiring of these pickers and have raised questions about the responsibility of Champagne houses and growers who sub-contract recruitment agencies to secure grape pickers for the harvest. The incidents underscore ongoing concerns about labor conditions in the wine industry during harvest seasons.
Tenn. Wine & Grape Board Launches Quality Assurance Program | Morning Ag Clips
The Tennessee Wine and Grape Board has introduced the Tennessee Wine Quality Assurance Program (QAP), enabling Tennessee wineries to undergo wine assessments involving laboratory analysis and independent judging to showcase their quality. Wines produced, blended, or bottled by Tennessee wineries following Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) regulations are eligible for this program. Beachaven Vineyards & Winery in Clarksville is the first Tennessee winery to participate in the program, with their Sunbelt and Seyval Blanc wines receiving the QAP designation after winning gold and silver awards at the Finger Lakes International Wine & Spirits Competition in New York.
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