MICHAEL FRIDJHON: The myriad threats facing the wine industry could drive you to drink
Climate change, pressure of the anti-alcohol lobby and change in the consumer profile are all exerting pressure on the industry
The wine industries of the world are facing an existential crisis, one which is so vast and has been building for so long that many producers have simply chosen to ignore it. The threat to wine is not unique in terms of alcoholic beverages — the other categories are also under pressure. However, with wine, all of the forces have come together in what can truly be described as “a perfect storm”.
For a start, there’s climate change, whose impact — while more visible in the traditional (Old World) regions — is affecting quality, regularity of supply and cost of production. Then there is the increasingly visible pressure of the anti-alcohol lobby, which doesn’t distinguish between wine (with its lifestyle benefits) and the more destructive hard tack. Finally, there is a huge and perceptible change in the consumer profile, with new entrants drinking less, and imposing expectations that cannot easily be complied with by wine producers...
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