2008 Crush: Cabernet Sauvignon Crashes; Chardonnay Off Slightly. Other Surprising Gains and Losses

This article is at: http://wineindustryinsight.com/?p=884

The 2008 California Crush Report shows some surprising losers and gainers with Cabernet Sauvignon’s 23.6-percent drop in tons crushed one of the biggest. Among the major varietals,  only Carignane dropped more, with a 49.2-percent decline.
Syrah, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel also declined.

Chardonnay, the most popular white varietal, declined slightly, down 4.16 percent. Other popular white varietals, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc showed declines of over 13 percent while Semillion and Pinot Blanc dropped 27 and 28 percent respectively.
GAINERS KEEP CRUSH DECLINE JUST 6 PERCENT LESS THAN 2007
Tempranillo increased almost 77 percent while the ever-Sideways Pinot Noir grew somewhat over 17 percent. Grenache, Primitivo and Alicante Bouschet all posted impressive gains.
DOWNLOAD EXCEL SPREADSHEET OF ALL VARIETALS
Wine Industry Insight has created a spreadsheet for you of all varietals and their percentage changes. It shows the same format as the image above.
Click here to download.

 

Read more...

Washington Growers Push 95% Purity

Bill would tighten rules for grape content by state and AVA
by Peter Mitham 
Source: Wines & Vines
Feb 11th 
A proposed bill would require wines bearing labels from a specific AVA to be made 95% from grapes grown within that region.
Washington state growers Wednesday spoke in favor of stricter rules governing the content of wines billed as Washington products. Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers chair Brenton Roy of Oasis Farms (Prosser) and WAWGG director Todd Newhouse of Upland Vineyards (Outlook) testified on behalf of the association at the afternoon meeting.
Roy and Newhouse were traveling and unavailable for comment prior to the presentation, part of a public hearing regarding the bill hosted by the state legislature's Commerce and Labor committee.
WAWGG and the Washington Wine Institute are backing the bill, which received first reading by state lawmakers Jan. 29, 2009. The bill seeks to require that Washington wines be made 95% from Washington-grown grapes. Wines bearing labels referencing a specific viticultural area would have to be made 95% from grapes grown within the designated American Viticultural Area.
The rule would also cover wines from AVAs that cross state lines, such as the Columbia Valley, Walla Walla Valley and Columbia Gorge AVAs, which include both Washington and Oregon vineyards. No less than 95% of grapes used for these wines must be from the AVA the label identifies.

Read more...

The Impact of Wine, Grapes and Grape Products on the American Economy

The Full Economic Impact of US Wine, Grapes and Grape Products on the American Economy is over $162 Billion....

Winemakers are generating income through their tasting room and wine club sales.  They are now considered profit centers that not only drive sales but also cement relationships.  With the rapid proliferation of new wineries and even more new labels, the marketplace continues to flourish.  

It's a wonderful opportunity for the savvy marketer to promote their brands. For over 15 years, Vintners Advantage has been an integral part of the industry and works closely with our clients to develop their business.  Read more about our Wine Club and Tasting Room software that is easy to use and to implement. 

Read more...

WINE INDUSTRY IS GROWING...

The U.S. grape and grape products industries are

largely concentrated in California, which accounts

for virtually all table grapes and raisins, and

roughly 90% of the nation’s wine production, with

New York and Washington State each at about 3%

and the rest of the states at 4% combined.

Grape juice production is concentrated primarily in

Washington State, New York, Pennsylvania and

Michigan.

The wine industry’s explosive growth nationwide,

extraordinary value-added benefits, and existence

in all 50 states provide great potential for working with federal and state officials to further enhance growth through research and promotion.

Read more...