• Unique grape pest: Decanter reports that baboons have been "terrorising" wine growers in the Franschhoek Valley region of South Africa, eating their grapes. One grower reports that he has lost nearly 40 percent of his crop. The baboons seem especially fond of pinot noir, which leads me to wonder: Have they been watching Sideways?
• Winemakers and the recession: What happens to wineries that don't make it? This article from the Los Angeles Times tells the story, including the tale of the highly-regarded Sauvignon Republic. Says one winemaker whose company went under: "It's a great relief not to be selling wine in this market right now."
• Too much Oregon wine? Oregon grape production rose 16 percent in 2009, while sales fell five percent. And, believe it or not, a ton of pinot noir grapes, Oregon's signature grape, has dropped $1,000 -- or one-third -- in price. That's almost impossible to believe, given the way Oregon pinot has skyrocketed in cost the past several years. The solution? "When in doubt, rip it out," said one expert.
Sorry about the Oregon growers but three thousand per ton is only $4.50 per bottle and this stuff might have moved through the chain better if more under $20 Pinots were out there. Very few Texas growers get 2k per ton.
Posted by: Bobby Cox | March 23, 2010 at 07:06 AM