LIQUID INVESTMENTS
MICHAEL FRIDJHON: Vines can resist a drought, but there is angst about quality
With the Cape in the grip of a drought that has acquired the kind of legendary status normally reserved for the rinderpest, there’s been no shortage of Jeremiahs bleating about how we’ve brought a climate change disaster upon ourselves. Emboldened by this "evidence" that we’d have ample irrigation water if only we had abandoned the internal combustion engine for bicycles, they are now pronouncing on the "imminent" risk of a total vineyard wipeout. At this stage the fine wine crop does not appear to be under huge pressure, though a dramatically reduced harvest is expected in the high-volume, irrigation-dependent vineyards far to the north of Cape Town. Fruit from these sites is used for bulk wine, distillation, flavoured beverages and alcopops so there will be commercial implications for the industry as well as a large loss for the growers. Elsewhere, the big question relates to the impact of vineyard stress in terms of quality and vintage dates. Chris Mullineux has already noticed t...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.