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The increased volume of imports comes as major cask producers grapple
with small vintages in 2007 and 2008 and the industry begins to face a
wine shortage. Wine prices have started to rise as some of the state's
favourite white wines from the 2007 vintage run out.
Wine retailers claim the popular whites like Sauvignon Blanc and 2007
Rieslings were getting depleted fast. Shortage of some favourite white
wines will be xpected this Christmas. No shortage of reds is expected
for a couple of years, however.
The increased consumption of imported wine has seen their value jump
by 35.2 per cent to A$350 million in the year to the end of October. The
Australian Wine Sector Supply and Demand Assessment expects imports to
gallop from 34 mil liters in 2006-07 to 128 mil liters in 2009-10.
At the same time, an Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation report forecasts
consumption of Australian wine falling from 476 mil liters to 390 mil
during this period.
Shaw and Smith co-owner Martin Shaw said the effect of the drought and
frost last year had quickly turned the wine lake into a puddle.
Dan Murphy's manager Tony Leon said he had thought it would take five
years to end the wine glut but he could see a shortage of popular brands
and more imports from South America.
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