Austria has the lowest crop in 25 years

The Austrian 2010 harvest is expected to deliver one of the lowest yields in nearly 20 years. The 30% reduction means that production is now lower than the total normal wine consumption in Austria.

It is especially dramatic for white wine, because there is none in stock at present due to low harvest volumes in 2009.

The small harvest is as a result of bad weather during the flowering period and a difficult fruit set. The low volume not surprisingly had a significant influence on grape prices which have doubled and even tripled this year.

Willi Klinger head of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board predicts a loss of market share and is not expecting any growth in export volume. But on a positive note he said We can expect wines with outstanding fruitiness and pure aromas. Our winemakers performed brilliant work.”