QHA Review July 2017

WINE
with John Rozentals
ELIZABETH BOUZOUDIS...THERE ARE DEFINITE SIGNS
OF A WINE INDUSTRY RECOVERY
The latest annual Australian and New Zealand Wine
Industry Directory — the 35th published by Winetitles
Media — reveals positive signs of industry recovery
despite a decline in the number of Australian wineries
to 2394 in 2016 from 2468 in 2015.
The directory’s data shows wine exports increased in
2016, rising by 11.4 per cent to almost $2.11 billion,
again led in volume of wine produced by Accolade
Wines. Treasury Wine Estates remains top of the list for
the value of wine exports.
Total revenues of the top 20 wine producers increased
by 9 per cent or $345 million to an estimated $4066
million in the year to June. Growth in revenues was
concentrated among the top five — Treasury Wine
Estates, Pernod Ricard, Winemakers, Accolade Wines,
Casella Wines and Australian Vintage, although 95 per
cent of the top 20 reported an increase in sales.
Other industry sources reveal growth in grape prices
and wine sales. The Winemakers’ Federation of
Australia calculated the average grape price per tonne
purchased was $529, up 14 per cent from $463 in
2015. This figure is the highest since 2009 and above
the average price for the past five years of $477 per
tonne.
Elizabeth Bouzoudis, managing editor of the Directory,
said there are definite signs of an industry recovery.
“With prices, production and exports increasing two
years in a row, the industry is showing positive trends,”
she said.
Elizabeth Bouzoudis
“While there was consolidation of winery numbers and
grape producers, free trade agreements with China,
Japan and South Korea are contributing factors in
increased export sales.
“With the price growth per tonne for grapes recording
above-average gains for the popular varieties —
chardonnay up 21 per cent, cabernet sauvignon up 17
per cent and shiraz up 14 per cent — this may lead to
a further shift of plantings away from the less popular
varieties that under-performed the average.”
Phone Winetitles Media on 08 8369 9500 or visit
www.winetitles.com.au.
TOP SHELF
with John Rozentals
DEAKIN
ESTATE 2016
Cabernet Sauvignon
DEAKIN
ESTATE 2016
Shiraz
DEAKIN
ESTATE 2016
Moscato
QHA REVIEW | 52
Like the other Deakin
Estate wines reviewed
here, this represents
great value at about $10
a bottle — a nice, firm
dry red with French oak
complexity and
attractive fruit.
The new labelling of this
range celebrates the role
that the Murray River
plays in its production.
This dry red epitomises
the consistency and
efficiency of Australian
wine production.
An unashamedly
commercial style with
low alcohol (just 7
per cent) and plenty
of residual sugar, but
with light-bodied but
excellent fruity muscat
flavour. Serve chilled.