In W31 in the wine landscape, drought and high temperatures in Spain during spring have advanced the grape harvest in various parts of the country, potentially causing a production decrease of up to 12%. Insufficient June rains have exacerbated this situation. This trend of earlier harvests and lower production has been recurring in recent years, impacting early grape varieties like Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo, Muscatel, Syrah, and Merlot. Regions like Córdoba, Huelva, Castilla-La Mancha, and Madrid are affected due to premature intense heat that accelerates maturation. In the primary wine-producing area of Castilla-La Mancha, Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias estimates a harvest reduction of 12%, equating to 20 million hectoliters of wine and must.
In addition, the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (FEAGA) will provide financial assistance to enhance the competitiveness of Galician wines in Spain, aiming to diversify and expand wine purchases. With a budget of USD 1.87 million, this initiative is targeted at promoting the wine sector in international markets outside the European Union (EU) and is scheduled for 2024.
In the southern region of France, specifically Corbières, grapes are ripening rapidly due to global warming, resulting in higher sugar content and more alcoholic wines. This trend has led some winegrowers to consider switching to later grape varieties to adapt to the changing climate conditions.
By the end of 2023, Georgian wines will be the most available in Russian stores, as their imports are not subject to the increased duties that European wines face – duties set to rise from 12.5% to 20% by August. This advantage is expected to lead Georgia to surpass Spain and Italy in terms of wine presence in the Russian market.
According to data from the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), Rio Grande do Sul is the leading grape producer in Brazil, accounting for 54.6% of the national wine production, primarily for industrialized products like wines and juices. The São Francisco Valley is the top grape-exporting region, mainly from Pernambuco (59.63%) and Bahia (36.94%), sending grapes abroad from Brazil.
Lastly, China has decided to stop imposing anti-dumping and countervailing duties on imported barley originating in Australia starting August 5, with industry stakeholders hoping this will serve as a model to resolve the wine tariff dispute between the two countries.
