No time for sour grapes on dollar

Neil McGuigan says there is an "incredible" opportunity for the Australian wine industry to increase its presence in the UK. Source: News Limited

THE soaring Australian dollar may be hurting sales of our wine in the United Kingdom but now is not the time to cry about it, says winemaker Neil McGuigan.
The UK is Australia's biggest wine export market, ahead of the US, Canada, China, and Germany.

Mr McGuigan, CEO of wine group Australian Vintage, said there was an "incredible" opportunity for the Australian wine industry to grow its presence in the UK if it could hang in there.

"In the UK the Australian dollar is just slamming us, but forget the dollar.

"You've got to steel yourself to say 'It's going to be tough for a few years, but we'll come through this', and if we do it right, we'll have a fantastic market."

According to Wine Australia, the authority that supports the Australian wine sector, Australian wine exports to the UK in the 12 months to March 31 fell 4 per cent to 261 million litres.

Wine Australia said a fall in bottled exports to the UK was a result of Australian producers' response to the appreciation of the dollar against the British pound, continuing alcohol tax increases, and the influence of the major retailers -- all of which affected Australia's ability to compete at commercial price points.

Mr McGuigan said the British loved our wine.

"You put any country against Australian wine at the same price point, they'll go for us because they love the richness and the obvious fruit character."