From the article:
Changing trends at bars, restaurants, and pubs are leading to changes in paddocks for farmers and winemakers.
Viticulturists such as Laura Pearse from Upper Reach Winery in the Swan Valley are adapting their crops and winemaking methods to suit the changing palates and demands of consumers.
Shiraz grapes in WA observed a 20 per cent drop in total crush, lowering from 6,842 tonnes in 2023 to 5,460 in 2024, while the grenache varietal rose 25 per cent from 224 tonnes crushed in 2023 to 280 tonnes in 2024.
by abcnews_au
3 Comments
Maybe they will stop using mega purple!
The Swan Valley is getting way too hot to produce grapes like Shiraz anymore. Spanish varieties do very well (grenache and temp for instance), in addition to Chenin Blanc and Verdelho. Not sure how much consumers are driving this though.
Gotta say, my wife and I have been shying away from the big 14.5% and higher ABV wines as of late. Lots of great red wine at 12.5-13.5% and we don’t need the extra alcohol and calories.