This year’s California grape harvest is expected to be smaller than in 2007. California’s 2008 grape harvest is project at around 3.2 million tons, down 3% from last year. (Source: Impact)

Spirits group Pernod-Ricard will run the distribution of its new brand, the Swedish vodka Absolut, on the American market by itself. It will pay $230 million to Fortune Brands group, who was distributing the vodka hitherto, in compensation for early contract termination. (Source: LSA)

In July, Italy’s agricultural minister and the U.S ambassador to Italy guaranteed that Brunello would continue to flow into the United States thanks to the introduction by Italy of a certification process for Brunello producers who export to the United States. “We can rely on the Italian government to give the necessary guarantees”, said U.S ambassador Ron Spogli. (Source: Wine Spectator)

Thunderstorms brought hail and 100km winds, devastating a range of Italy’s Brunello di Montalcino vineyards. The mid-August storm was concentrated in the south western part of the zone. Though it is difficult to assess the total damage, it is estimated about 600 hectares of production were hit, equal to between 30%-35% of the total production. (Source: Wine Business International)

According to the Indian Policy Alliances (IAPA), 21% of adult Indian males drink alcohol, 17% of them regularly, with the average age of initiation down to 19 years, from 28 years in the 80s. About 10% of adult females drink alcohol and around 62.5 people altogether imbibe alcohol. (Source: Wine Business International)

Cilaos is the only wine on Reunion Island. 35,000 bottles of its 4 “country” wines are produced, so it is still only at an experimental stage, but despite quite adverse conditions of climate, insular isolation and local geography, there is a steady demand. The objective in 2009 is to move from the present 15 hectares (37 acres) of vines to 20, thereby leaving the status of experimental vineyard to become a fully-fledged wine-producing estate. (Source: Revue Vinicole Internationale)