The problems in the wine industry have occupied our minds since I went to the winegrowers meeting on Wednesday. The industry is struggling with an over supply of grapes, which has built up by surpluses over the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009. When this happened in the 90's in Australia they flooded the market with cheap wine. We all enjoyed it, but now Australia has built a market niche for itself as providing cheap wine and now struggles to sell good wine at a price reflecting its cost to make. The result is that some blocks have stopped pruning, as they have been dumped by Montana and have no contract for their grapes. Fortunately we dont grow for Montana, but I have tried to contact Sileni, our wine company, but no answer yet on how we stand. We are over half way through pruning, so lets hope we are OK. The firm we normally buy our new grapevines from is hosting a seminar on growing avocados next week.
With all these woes, wouldn't it be nice to be back in France, playing with the street theatre on Montmatre? Rumours are flying as to whether the subdivision on our land will go ahead, so lots of unknowns in the months ahead.
Haven't listened to this myself yet, but Radio NZ's Country Life had an interview with Tony Gayford about Gisborne grape growing at the weekend. Find it here.
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