15 November,2010 07:32 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
Untimely November rain in Nashik has affected grape harvest by 40%
There is a possibility that you may have to shell out more money for your favourite wine this Christmas. Thanks to the unseasonable rain in Nashik, the country's major grape growing area, this month.
The untimely showers have hit the grape harvest by close to 40 per cent. Expenses to save the crop will now affect the prices and availability of wine.
Sudden showers at the time of pruning has made the crop prone to diseases and adding to companies' expenses
November is the month of pruning, which implies that the entire process of wine making has been adversely affected. Sudden showers at the time of pruning attract more diseases, which tend to affect the entire crop, claim experts.
"Farmers are using enough pesticides to save their plants but unfortunately there is no respite from rain in the grape producing area. If the rain continues, it will impact the production of wine," said Prashant Sankpal, managing director of Ritza Wine Private Limited and the Vice President of Wine Producers' Association (Sangli).
Sankpal said that about 40 per cent of the crop has already been affected because of the heavy rain and further loss may occur if the situation worsens. "The production cost of wine goes up with increase in expenses on saving the crop. More expenses mean the selling price of wine will increase by 20 per cent," he said.
With an estimated two crore litres of wine lying with wineries across the state, the wine makers seem to be subdued despite crops getting affected.
At present, about 2 crore litre balance wine stock is available in state wineries.
The wine experts are estimating sale of half of the remaining stock this year. "We fear that wineries might sell the available stock at higher rates to meet the current losses because of sudden rain.
This year we are expecting a sale of 1 crore litre of balance stock. Current situation of excess wine could translate into a shortage for the next couple of years," said a wine expert.
"It is too early to say about the losses that the entire industry may face. Though Sangli is not affected in a larger way, we are worried about the sudden climatic change. We hope the weather is in our favour," said Kapil Grover, director of Grover Vineyards located in Sangli and Bangalore.
Grover fears that the recent cyclonic winds may touch the southern part of India where he has 80 per cent of his vineyards.
"During November, grape plant gets its new shoots and such unseasonable rain damage the plant completely," added Grover.
Did you know?
Maharashtra produces 45,000 tonnes of grapes only for making wine
Number Game
Balance wine stock in bulk litre, till date
2006-07: 66.3 lakh
2007-08: 10.5 lakh
2008-09: 15.2 lakh
2009-10 (before crushing period- Feb): 2.53 crore
Wineries in Maharashtra:
Nashik: 33
Sangli: 30
Pune and Buldhana: 2 each
Raigadh:1
Why prune?
Pruning grape vines in winter season is the best thing that one can do to ensure good health of the grapevines. Pruning is always advisable after the leaves of the grape vine fall, which happens throughout winter. During the period before the fall, important minerals and carbohydrates are transferred to the woody part of the vine for the winter storage.
