EXCLUSIVE: Global supply chain issues cause fears over Champagne and spirit stocks
​

It is no secret that Aussies love drinking (that's why we ranked first in the drunkest country list), And we make no secret that over here at the SDC we’re looking forward to a little tipple over the holidays.

However, did you know that global supply chain issues might limit your alcohol intake this festive season?

Australia's alcohol retailers have warned of "stock constraints" on some imported booze products and have limited the number of bottles of bubbly customers can buy in one go.

Australian wine retailers such as Dan Murphy’s (pictured) are imposing a ‘bottle limit per customer’ due to “stock constraints”. Credit: news.com.au.​

Endeavor Group's Dan Murphy's and BWS, some of Australia's largest alcohol retailers, imposed a 12-bottle limit per customer on French Champagne brands such as Mumm, Pol Roger, and Moet.

Meanwhile, Coles liquor stores, Liquorland and First Choice, also imposed purchase limits but have notably denied that the global supply chain issues affected their stocks.

Australia is the world's sixth-largest consumer of French Champagne, with 8.5 million bottles of Pol Roger, Veuve, Moet and other bubbly brands being imported into the country each year.

However, supplies of French liquor are in a tizz as a combination of COVID-19 restrictions, bad weather, and panicked forecasting made by grape growers has reduced wine production.

Huge fluctuations in alcohol demand during the pandemic saw shipping lines scrambling to keep up, with many shipping containers stuck in the wrong places as COVID-19 cases have shut down entire ports at a moment's notice.

Meanwhile, poor decision-making of grape growers has also played a key role.

Trade body Comite Champagne — a group that decides on how many grapes from the eponymous region of France go onto wine production — cut yields in 2020 as demand initially dropped during global lockdowns.

The group assumed that demand would continue to plummet as worries about the economy would cause consumers to cut back on expensive booze. However, the opposite happened a few months later as people with spare cash consumed more liquor at home.

Additionally, weather conditions — such as severe frosts, heavy rains, and hail storms — reduced the French grape crop.

The reduction in the French grape crop resulted in the price of top brands like Pérignon and Cristal surging by 9 per cent, according to British wine publication Decanter.

Co-owner of US wine importer, Elite Wines, Laurent Givry told the Washington Post: “Champagne is exploding.”

“I’m already making plans for 2022, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to buy enough.”

A combination of COVID-19 restrictions, severe weather conditions, and poor decision-making of winemakers caused supplies of wine to plummet. Credit: news.com.au.​

Australian winemakers relishing more sales of local sparkling

But don’t despair - if you’re worried about not drinking wine due to its expensive price and limited stock over the holidays, Australian winemakers have got your back!

Aussie winemakers, including Adelaide based Accolade Wines, whose brands include Hardys, Grant Burge, Banrock Station and Croser, said that they are poised to come to rescue booze-starved Australians.

Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye told news.com.au: “There continue to be significant concerns over cost, frequency, and availability of sea freight around the globe affecting everything from the availability of wine through to the packaging that is used to transport products across the world.”

“The impact of these global shipping delays means Australians could see a shortage of alcohol on shelves this festive season and there have also been reports of issues impacting Champagne supply for Australians.”

The CEO said that Australian consumers started to relax about moving from French to Aussie bubbly as Australian sparkling wine had grown in popularity at a faster rate than Champagne in the last six months.

Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye said that Aussie winemakers are poised to rescue booze-starved Australians. Credit: news.com.au.​

Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland limits on Champagne

Endeavour Group said that their liquor limit will only be imposed on a small range of products.

An Endeavour Group spokesperson told news.com.au: “We are seeing some supply chain constraints due to the pandemic, but we have worked closely with our supply partners since the first lockdowns of 2020 to keep stock on shelves and we continue to do so.”

“We have implemented mitigation strategies in the way we manage our supply chain logistics to ensure more lead time when importing products.

“While there are some stock constraints on imported products, namely liqueurs and certain spirits, as well as some Champagne brands, we don’t expect any major disruptions for customers leading into Christmas.”

Additionally, the group commented on the sales of local brands, saying that they’ve seen “strong sales” for Aussie liquor brands and encourage customers to buy local products.

Meanwhile, a Coles spokesperson insisted that the retailer is not experiencing issues with supplies.

“We’ve worked with all our suppliers to prepare for Christmas early this year, so our customers can enjoy their favourite drinks with their festive foods,” the spokesperson said.

Coles denied that they are being affected by global supply chain issues. Credit: news.com.au.​

This holiday season, we might find ourselves guzzling down more Aussie wine compared to celebrations from previous years. Can anyone recommend good homegrown brands to check out?

 

[Lindyloo]

EXCLUSIVE: Global supply chain issues cause fears over Champagne and spirit stocks
​

It is no secret that Aussies love drinking (that's why we ranked first in the drunkest country list), And we make no secret that over here at the SDC we’re looking forward to a little tipple over the holidays.

However, did you know that global supply chain issues might limit your alcohol intake this festive season?

Australia's alcohol retailers have warned of "stock constraints" on some imported booze products and have limited the number of bottles of bubbly customers can buy in one go.

Australian wine retailers such as Dan Murphy’s (pictured) are imposing a ‘bottle limit per customer’ due to “stock constraints”. Credit: news.com.au.​

Endeavor Group's Dan Murphy's and BWS, some of Australia's largest alcohol retailers, imposed a 12-bottle limit per customer on French Champagne brands such as Mumm, Pol Roger, and Moet.

Meanwhile, Coles liquor stores, Liquorland and First Choice, also imposed purchase limits but have notably denied that the global supply chain issues affected their stocks.

Australia is the world's sixth-largest consumer of French Champagne, with 8.5 million bottles of Pol Roger, Veuve, Moet and other bubbly brands being imported into the country each year.

However, supplies of French liquor are in a tizz as a combination of COVID-19 restrictions, bad weather, and panicked forecasting made by grape growers has reduced wine production.

Huge fluctuations in alcohol demand during the pandemic saw shipping lines scrambling to keep up, with many shipping containers stuck in the wrong places as COVID-19 cases have shut down entire ports at a moment's notice.

Meanwhile, poor decision-making of grape growers has also played a key role.

Trade body Comite Champagne — a group that decides on how many grapes from the eponymous region of France go onto wine production — cut yields in 2020 as demand initially dropped during global lockdowns.

The group assumed that demand would continue to plummet as worries about the economy would cause consumers to cut back on expensive booze. However, the opposite happened a few months later as people with spare cash consumed more liquor at home.

Additionally, weather conditions — such as severe frosts, heavy rains, and hail storms — reduced the French grape crop.

The reduction in the French grape crop resulted in the price of top brands like Pérignon and Cristal surging by 9 per cent, according to British wine publication Decanter.

Co-owner of US wine importer, Elite Wines, Laurent Givry told the Washington Post: “Champagne is exploding.”

“I’m already making plans for 2022, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to buy enough.”

A combination of COVID-19 restrictions, severe weather conditions, and poor decision-making of winemakers caused supplies of wine to plummet. Credit: news.com.au.​

Australian winemakers relishing more sales of local sparkling

But don’t despair - if you’re worried about not drinking wine due to its expensive price and limited stock over the holidays, Australian winemakers have got your back!

Aussie winemakers, including Adelaide based Accolade Wines, whose brands include Hardys, Grant Burge, Banrock Station and Croser, said that they are poised to come to rescue booze-starved Australians.

Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye told news.com.au: “There continue to be significant concerns over cost, frequency, and availability of sea freight around the globe affecting everything from the availability of wine through to the packaging that is used to transport products across the world.”

“The impact of these global shipping delays means Australians could see a shortage of alcohol on shelves this festive season and there have also been reports of issues impacting Champagne supply for Australians.”

The CEO said that Australian consumers started to relax about moving from French to Aussie bubbly as Australian sparkling wine had grown in popularity at a faster rate than Champagne in the last six months.

Accolade Wines CEO Robert Foye said that Aussie winemakers are poised to rescue booze-starved Australians. Credit: news.com.au.​

Dan Murphy’s, BWS, Liquorland limits on Champagne

Endeavour Group said that their liquor limit will only be imposed on a small range of products.

An Endeavour Group spokesperson told news.com.au: “We are seeing some supply chain constraints due to the pandemic, but we have worked closely with our supply partners since the first lockdowns of 2020 to keep stock on shelves and we continue to do so.”

“We have implemented mitigation strategies in the way we manage our supply chain logistics to ensure more lead time when importing products.

“While there are some stock constraints on imported products, namely liqueurs and certain spirits, as well as some Champagne brands, we don’t expect any major disruptions for customers leading into Christmas.”

Additionally, the group commented on the sales of local brands, saying that they’ve seen “strong sales” for Aussie liquor brands and encourage customers to buy local products.

Meanwhile, a Coles spokesperson insisted that the retailer is not experiencing issues with supplies.

“We’ve worked with all our suppliers to prepare for Christmas early this year, so our customers can enjoy their favourite drinks with their festive foods,” the spokesperson said.

Coles denied that they are being affected by global supply chain issues. Credit: news.com.au.​

This holiday season, we might find ourselves guzzling down more Aussie wine compared to celebrations from previous years. Can anyone recommend good homegrown brands to check out?

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