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Southern hemisphere harvests look good for bulk wine, says Murphy Wine

Published:  16 January, 2014

The outlook for southern hemisphere producers preparing to bring in their harvests is positive from a bulk wine perspective, says Murphy Wine Company.

According to the firm's Anya Robson, the harvest is likely to be around two weeks late in South Africa and initial reports say it is slightly down on 2013's bumper crop. But on balance, the exchange rate with the South African rand is continuing to help exports.

Robson added: "Chile is looking at a good harvest.  Grape prices are lower than 2013 and talk of the big freeze seems to have faded and is not yet pushing pre-harvest  pricing upwards."

But the strike at Chile's main freight hub San Antonio port is still causing problems for loading in the country, said Robson, as negotiations are stalling on the dockers' refusal to accept a higher retirement age. 

Meanwhile, she said that Australia looks "trouble free" except for the frosts that have cut back potential volumes of Pinot Grigio.  After the high pricing from Italy in 2012, stocks of Pinot Grigio 2013 in Australia was already low.  Unsurprisingly, Australian Chardonnay continues to be in over-supply.

Murphy's latest price list shows most French wines are in reasonably short supply, while South Africa is also in demand and in very short supply of white sparkling wines. Pinot Grigio from both Australia and California is also under pressure as stocks at lower prices are under pressure.

Spain appears to offer the lowest prices from the northern hemisphere, narrowly pipping Italy to the post, while in the southern hemisphere South Africa's prices are the cheapest.

 For full details of Murphy Wine Company's latest bulk wine pricing report, click here.

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