Big drop in wine grape harvest predicted.

23 April 2007

Extreme weather conditions have slashed this year's national wine grape harvest, with predictions it will be the smallest in seven years.

A study of 85 per cent of this year's wine grape crush has predicted a harvest of just over 1.3 million tonnes - 29 per cent lower than last year.

The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation survey has found drought, frost, bushfire taint and summer rains have caused a 39 per cent drop in red grape production and a 17 per cent drop in whites.

weather blamed for a big drop in the wine harvest

Western Australian growers have escaped the worst of the weather conditions, with anecdotal evidence indicating good quality grapes and a drop in production of just 15 to 20 per cent.

This has allowed local growers to meet some of the demand for grapes from big winemakers based in the eastern states.

Source: ABC Online