US: Grape Prices Drop Slightly in Finger Lakes

(Wines&Vines) - After recording higher prices in 2012 for the first time in several years, grape prices in the Finger Lakes region of New York are flat to slightly lower for the 2013 vintage. The list of prices in the accompanying table was furnished to Wines & Vines by Hans Walter-Peterson, viticulture extension specialist with Cornell University’s Finger Lakes Grape Program. Of the 58 varieties listed, 25 declined in price, 14 moved higher and 14 remained unchanged. Five newcomers joined the list, including Aromella, Frontenac, Grüner Veltliner, Muscat Ottonel and Zweigelt.

After taking a hit between 2007 and 2009, Cabernet Franc moved 3% higher in average price per ton, from $1,263 in 2012 to $1,306 this year. Cabernet Sauvignon went down 3% (from $1,648 to $1,593), and Merlot went from $1,808 to $1,771. Pinot Noir increased from $1,660 to $1,682. Viognier gave a strong showing among white vinifera varieties, rising from $1,700 to $1,725. Also increasing in price were Riesling (from $1,447 to $1,482) and Chardonnay (from $1,248 to $1,264).

Among the red hybrids, Maréchal Foch increased 5% (from $642 to $675), and Chambourcin was up 4% (from $789 to $819). Baco Noir declined from $569 to $555.Mostly lower in the white hybrid category were Aurore (dropped from $385 to $360), Seyval ($613 to $594) and Verdelet, which was down 8% ($550 to $505). Vidal rose from $607 to $613.

Most native American varieties moved slightly lower. The price per ton for Concord went from $324 to $319, Catawba from $338 to $332, and Delaware from $414 to $395. Niagara went up from $326 to $328.