Australia’s winegrape crush for the year may be the smallest crop since 2007, but the quality of wines is expected to remain high and meet premium market targets, as revealed in Wine Australia’s National Vintage Report 2020.
The Australian winegrape crush amounted to 1.52 million tonnes – an equivalent of more than one billion litres of wine – which as 12 per cent lower than last year and 13 per cent lower than the 10-year average of 1.75 million tonnes.
The report stated that despite 2020 being the smallest crop since 2007, it was most similar in terms of yield to 2010 – “a year of exceptional wines” – with a crush of 1.61 million tonnes and a vineyard area around four per cent higher.
Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said wine quality was expected to be high, with autumn temperatures leading to ideal ripening and harvesting, as well as the reduced yields resulting in more concentrated colours and flavours in the berries.
“This vintage will enable us to continue to meet our targets of value growth in premium wine market segments, although the constrained supply will restrict overall volume growth in the next 12 to 24 months,” said Clark.
“The wine sector has made significant investments in research and development, leading to improved vineyard management techniques and water use efficiency since the last drought.”
“Crop losses due to fire and/or smoke damage were reported in around one-quarter of Australia’s winegrowing regions; however, the overall reduction due to direct damage or smoke effects was estimated to be less than 40,000 tonnes, or 3 per cent of the total crush.”
The total value of the winegrape crush is estimated to be $1.07 billion, with an average value of $694 per tonne, compared with $663 in 2019.
Red varieties accounted for 55 per cent of crush, while white varieties made up 45 per cent of crush. Both red and white experienced a decline of 11 and 13 per cent respectively.
The report found: “Australia’s largest variety, Shiraz, decreased by 10 per cent to 376,000 tonnes and increased its share of the total crush to 25 per cent. Other red varieties to do relatively well were Durif and Ruby Cabernet (up by 9 per cent and 8 per cent respectively) while the biggest declines were for Pinot Noir (down 24 per cent) and Merlot (down 20 per cent).”
Chardonnay was down 19 per cent, while Riesling experienced a 20-year low of just under 17,000 tonnes, a 28 per cent decrease.
The full report can be accesed here.
