Had a funeral for an industry mate yesterday who took his own life. Consequently, I was a bit naughty and went to an independent to alleviate my sadness with some retail therapy. There's a guy on the Princes Highway at the top of the hill once you pass Sylvania that has a decent range of wine. Bought:
* Bowen Estate Cab '13
* Wynn's Shiraz '16, Cab '14, CSM '16
* Blockers Cab '16
* Altos Malbec '18
* Barwang Hilltops Shiraz '13
* Moss Wood Amy v16
* Seppeltsfield Grenache '17
* Calabria Nero d'Avola v17 (Riverland, but stuff from there is better and better each year)
* one or two others I can't remember
Was a bit silly and it ended up at $250, and most of it will go into my cellar, but had one of those 'f**k it' moments.
My suggestion to people is buy wine now, before next vintage hits. The heat has f**ked a number of regions. Clare, Hunter and Adelaide Hills are a write off (ADHL won't be 'right' for years to come).
Riverland fruit becoming more expensive too, due to the almond industry growth and its use of water (which is driving prices up in cheap, commercial fruit).
Most regional fruit is pushing $4 per litre now, meaning base entry regional wine is becoming quite expensive.
China's warehouses are filling, and most are waiting for the wine glut dump to happen. US export sales are slowing, Europe export sales are slowing, and China's grow has flatlined and, with the CoronaVirus, will likely dent Australian wine export sales until its resolved.
Industry is in a strange place these days. Premiumisation is the buzz word, but customers aren't spending more (which I think is due to wage growths being flat). Our $10 'Colonel and Merchant) moved to $11 and baseline sales have dropped significantly.
I am also not sure if region makes a difference to customers as much as price and style these days. I know that sounds obvious but in market, the fact customers are continuing to trade on Annie's Lane despite it moving from Clare Valley to SA indicates customers are unable to spend more unless given a better reason than they were before.
A lot of great emerging varietals are getting a look in these days too. Nero, Grillo, Albarino, Vermentino are all in vogue right now. Grenache is huge (thank f**k - people are both making it right and drinking it to support), and Temp is fairly strong. Sang, Mataro, and blends still suffering for reasons I can only put down to customer ignorance.
Will be cracking the Calabria Nero tonight, as a bit of fun. All those heavy reds are for cellaring, these days. I hardly drink heavy unless I have the occasion to.
