Chile: Early Frost Report: Industry working as normal

(WinesofChile) - Chilean wine industry working as normal despite frosts sweeping the country.

Although the initial predition is of a 20% decrease in production for 2014’s harvest, wineries are working as normal and will fulfil their commercial commitments in all the different markets.

Despite the frosts that have swept Chile in the last few weeks, recorded as the fiercest since 1991, the wine industry is operating as normal in the wineries and shouldn’t face any risk of being unable to fulfil their commercial commitments to the different markets. This is the situation according to Wines of Chile Association, who represent 90% of the sector, arguing that the effects on early-ripening grapes like Sauvignon Blanc will be visible from the start of next year.

Although the preliminary statistics show an impact of 20% on the production of grapes next year compared to 2013, the repercussions of the low temperatures will be seen more clearly from November, the point at which bunches can be counted in the vineyards.

Wines of Chile has called for calm, concentrating in asking the media to help alleviate the eventual financial, technical and workload consequences to the producers. To do so they have confirmed they will form a working committee between the main parties in the industry, including Cofradía del Vino, The Winemakers Association of Chile, the Chilean Corporation of Wine, along with Agricultural Services and Livestock of Chile.

Additionally, they will work on a general cadastre to allow them to design strategies to improve 2014’s production and strengthen the vines till 2015.