Too much of a good thing…

February 11th, 2010 | Posted by

shfeb10 005

Claims from a leading academic in Australia recently that the national vineyard area should be reduced by somewhere between 20-30% in order to sorrect the current demand-supply imbalance and focus the countries efforts into reclaiming a higher price point for its wine. Rebecca Gibbs article appeared in Decanter and can be read here.    

Is this an over-reaction or is New Zealand in danger of going down a similar route with its Sauvignon Blanc?

Is the combination of already having lowered the overall quality and price point together with the fact that NZs wine exports are massively based around the one varietal potentially a recipe for disaster. Can we already see the signs, should we recognise the (albeit smaller) similarity to the Australian situation and act now  – even producers who dont make Sauvignon need to be concerned as the NZ image is at stake. Is it too late, are consumers already conditioned to the bargains….