In a speech to the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (UK) Australian winemaker made some very interesting observations.
He said "There is little doubt that Australia will fully develop its abundant potential as a supplier of some of the finest wines of the world as well as consolidate its position as the reliable supplier of "good value for money" commodity wine"
"There is little doubt that France and the other "Old World" producers will give up some more of their dominant 70% of market share of internationally traded wine to the "New World" producers in both categories, branded commodity and regionally differentiated premium wine."
"There will be a decreasing place for subsidised production lacking market relevance."
"The real revolution in world wine production has only just begun, "the big march south".
"Climate change, pollution, northern hemisphere land values and population pressures will give added momentum to the inexorable march of global wine production into the southern hemisphere."
"This migration is not a threat to the great wines of the Old World but will provide a platform for the emergence of equivalent wines from south of the equator."
"Australian agriculture now has the three W's, wheat, wool and wine and the greatest of these will be wine, thanks largely to the consumers of the northern hemisphere but also because of the sublime viticultural qualities of Australia."
Full Article at
This is a long, but interesting read.