Limited supply of French wines on bulk market

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 18 February, 2014

French wines have only limited availability in the bulk market, with white and rosé wines in shortest supply.

According to the latest global bulk wine price list from Murphy Wine Company for February 2014, Californian wines are showing strong availability, and early tests show that the potential crop should be good, if rain alleviates the current water shortage.

Anya Robson of Murphy Wine Company told harpers.co.uk: "The window for rain [in California] is until the end of March. If there is not significant rainfall we will see prices tightening as wineries look to keep stocks back to complement the 2014 shortfall."

As regards the limited availability of French wines, Robson said that many French supermarket buyers had delayed finalising volumes given that prices were so high. She added: "I think we will have a clearer idea after Vinisud [which takes place in Montpellier next week]. It may be that wineries are keeping back volumes so there may be some relief in the next few months."

French Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc at both entry and premium levels are in very short supply, while even regular dry white and sparkling base wines are running out.

In the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa and Chile are also under pressure, with most South African wines, both red and white, showing either limited availability or that supply is tightening. This is to be expected as the current vintage is ending.

Australia and Chile are the least expensive coming from the southern hemisphere, while Spain has a plentiful supply across all categories and offers the cheapest prices in the Northern Hemisphere, pipping Italy to the post.

Australian Pinot Grigio is also available only in limited quantities.

For full details of the latest bulk wine prices, see the latest report from Murphy Wines.

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