SANDY serves up a storm!
It's an ill-wind .....
You'll be glad to read, I'm sure that Wine Merchants in Manhattan, while fighting to overcome storm damage, loss of power and flooding due to Sandy the Superstorm, are already being positive about the future!
I've read more than one quote from Manhattan's Wine Merchants saying that they are hoping that those with Private Wine Collections damaged in the storm will get their insurance money and re-invest in wine, supplied obviously by Manhattan Wine Merchants!
Seems like a Win-Win scenario despite the horrendous damage.
WINE SHORTAGE?
I was reading the news reports that there will be a Wine shortage next year (see below for more details).
The bad news is that French production is expected to fall by 19%, Argentina by 24%, Italy by 3.5% etc
The problem is that these are general figures and make no allowance for quality. So in Australia we don't know if Riverina will suffer more than Coonawarra (no bad thing, eh?)
The really bad news is that U.S. production is up 7%. So it looks like we'll all be drinking Blossom Hill - NOT!
NEWS
Experts have predicted a world wine shortage after forecasts
indicated production would slump to the lowest level since records began
in 1975. Bad weather has destroyed grape harvests across the globe and the fall in production is likely to push up prices.
Output is expected to fall from 264.2 million hectolitres in 2011 to 248.2 million hectolitres this year, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). It said the hardest-hit country would be Argentina, where output will drop 24%. France also took a battering due to winter drought, cold weather, hailstorms, a heat wave and a dry summer. Production is expected to fall 19% to 40.5 million hectolitres. Italy also suffered but a less severe output drop of 3.4% should see it overtake France as the world’s largest wine-producing country with 40.8 million hectolitres.
The one major producer to buck the trend is the USA, where output is expected to rise by 7%.
Global thirst for wine is growing – particularly in the developing world – and demand is set to exceed supply. World wine consumption is estimated at between 235.7 million hectolitres and 249.4 million hectolitres, with a further 30 million hectolitres used to make spirits, vermouth and vinegar.
OIV statistician Victor Magalhaes said: “If we don’t have availability in the market, there’s a strong chance some products will increase in price.” Federico Castellucci, the OIV’s director general, added: “We’re dipping into the reserves for supply.”
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Now that we've relaunched our website - with great prices on great wines - we want to let you know about our upcoming Events, Wine Dinners, Tastings & Special Offers.
We'll have Special online offers for members only, and will be starting our Monthly Case Selection shortly - a mixed case of new and interesting wines at a Special Price!
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Wine of the Month - we are on a role!
Mary Dowey today in THE GLOSS magazine selected our
PAGO EL ESPINO 2008 MALAGA, CORTIJO LOS AGUILARES €22.00
'Malaga for sweet wines? Sure .... but also super reds like this Petit Verdot/Tempranillo/ Merlot blend. Andalucia can be warm but vineyards at 900 meters guarantee enticing freshness.
Los Aguialares also make an excellent Pinot Noir (I know, I Know, who ever suspected that!) that is the only Spanish Pinot to win the Best Pinot Noir award twice. Also worth trying if you like to experiment without risk!
Wine of The Week - Again!
Delighted to see that another of our wines was reviewed and praised by John Wilson in The Irish Times 27/10/12
Chateau des Karantes 2010, La Clape Lanquedoc €19.99
John said 'Karantes is from La Clape, a rocky
outcrop by the Mediterranean coast, which has been recognized as one of
the finest places to grow vines. Although founded recently, Karantes has
won a string of prestigious trophies and awards. This blend of Syrah
and Mourvèdre, with a little Grenache, is rich, voluptuous and rounded
with silky dark fruits, some tobacco and spice, and good smooth length.
Only a couple of weeks earlier, he'd picked
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2010, Vigneto Vigne Nuove, Valle Reale €11.99
A nicely aromatic wine with lovely refreshing, bright, brambly, dark cherry fruits, and an attractive tannic nip on the finish
GOLD MEDAL Winners from McCabes Wines
At last week's IRISH WINE SHOW, two of our wines won the top prizes available, and both are now available ON-LINE.
RED WINE OF THE YEAR & overall WINE OF THE YEAR was
ANTIGUAS RESERVA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2010, Chile available at €14.99 per bottle but better value at €150.00 a case (equiv. €12.50 pb) Tasting Notes
WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR was
TIKI SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011, Marlborough New Zealand , €13.99 per bottle, but a steal at €138.00 per case (equiv. €11.50 pb)
Tasting notes
Other winners available include
La Plume Pinot Grigio 2011, Venizia, Italy €7.99 GOLD MEDAL
Canti Negroamara/Zinfandel 2011, Puglia, Italy €7.99 GOLD MEDAL
Stony Cape Chenin Blanc 2011, Western Cape, South Africa €7.99 GOLD MEDAL
GatoNegro Carmenere 2012, Central Valley, Chile €7.99 GOLD MEDAL
Grant Burge 'Benchmark' Shiraz 2010, South Australia €9.99 GOLD MEDAL
GatoNegro Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Chile €7.99 SILVER MEDAL
Foundstone Unoaked Chardonnay 2011, Australia €9.99 SILVER MEDAL
Antina Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Italy €7.99 BRONZE MEDAL
Barocca Rosso Salento 2011, Italy €7.99 BRONZE MEDAL
Contrado Del Falco Rosso 2010, Italy, €14.99 BRONZE MEDAL
All these wines will be available ON-LINE shortly
Welcome
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