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Published on October 21, 2007

Following another winter of relatively light precipitation, drought will again be a problem in Australia.

The real action this time of year is in the northern hemisphere, where most of the grapes for the 2007 vintage have just been harvested following yet another year of atypical weather. This is what early information looks like concerning quality and quantity.

The big three European producers, Spain, Italy and France, experienced periods of extreme heat and unusual storms during periods of the growing season.

In France, Bordeaux endured the hottest spring temps in 30 years, which sped up grape maturation by as much as three weeks. Nearly all vineyards were picked earlier than most can remember.

According to Eric Hosteins, a major negociant and winery owner in Bordeaux, "Quality in Medoc looks very good to excellent with higher than usual sugar, which should yield some big concentrated wines."

His major concern is that with the high value of the Euro and production down by about 10 per cent over last year, prices are likely to remain high.

Rain in early summer through much of France did little to restore lower ground water levels but did induce mould in many vineyards. This had to be treated extensively adding to concerns about higher prices. Quality in Champagne and Burgundy appears to be very good but yields are among the lowest in 10 years.

Spain and Italy also had higher than normal temperatures with occasional untimely storms. Production in Spain has been increasing in recent years and will likely be up again this year with intense concentrated fruit in most regions.

Piedmont, home of the great Barolos in northern Italy, experienced ferocious late spring storms that wiped out most of the crops in affected areas. Prices of those that escaped will be high.

Tuscany remained dry throughout the critical part of the growing season and appears headed for one of the best years in half a century. Sugars are reportedly high, ripening was even and concentration intense.

Southern Italy will also vinify some of their most concentrated grapes in recent memory so look for '07 to yield some blockbuster wines from this area.

Across the ocean, California, the fourth largest producer of wine worldwide, is also reporting an exceptional year, resulting mainly from cooperative weather at appropriate times. Prime growing areas in Napa and Sonoma had near perfect seasons but lack of rain is raising concerns about next year due to the seriously low water table.

The bottom line for consumers here in Thailand is that prices won't be going down. Australia's surplus also appears to have dried up as a result of continued drought so it's time to time to rethink expenditures on a new car or watch - save it so you can enjoy wine, albeit at higher prices.