25th anniversary events | The Jancis Robinson Story | 🎁 25% off gift memberships

California grape shortage – fact or fiction?

Thursday 17 May 2012
Image

'Panic! Wine Prices Due to Rise' read a recent headline on TIME Magazine's website. Welcome to the absurd states of America. That TIME Magazine, not generally known for sarcastic titling, would be reporting on the subtleties of the wine grape market is surprise enough, but the suggestion that Americans care enough about wine to panic simply boggles the mind.

According to the statistics released by several sources, including the United States Department of Agriculture as well as The Wine Institute, California (which produces 90% of American wine) indeed faces a grape shortage. These statistics arrive each year in the...

Become a member to continue reading
JancisRobinson.com 25th anniversaty logo

This February, share what you love.

February is the month of love and wine. From Valentine’s Day (14th) to Global Drink Wine Day (21st), it’s the perfect time to gift wine knowledge to the people who matter most.

Gift an annual membership and save 25%. Offer ends 21 February.

Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 289,648 wine reviews & 15,918 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors
  • Access 289,648 wine reviews & 15,918 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 289,648 wine reviews & 15,918 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade
  • Access 289,648 wine reviews & 15,918 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Alder on America

SLO Coast Derbyshire Vineyard
Alder on America This new AVA delivers on cool-climate wines – and excellent value for money. Above, the Derbyshire Vineyard, the Pacific Ocean...
Mokelumne Glen vineyard
Alder on America A little corner of Germany and Austria in Lodi (photo of Mokelumne Glen Vineyard by Randy Caparoso). Psychologists analysing paratroopers...
A closeup of the ingredient label on a Ridge wine.
Alder on America US wine labelling rules look set to follow those in the EU – at some point. Alder examines the complicated...
US recession image
Alder on America The US wine industry eyes up the prospect of a recession (although at least they have a nice strong currency)...

More from JancisRobinson.com

Wine news in 5 21 Feb 2026 main image
Wine news in 5 Plus: Ridgeview sold, Wales hikes minimum unit price for alcohol, four new MWs announced and Julian Leidy wins Top Taster...
Two bottles of Pikes Riesling on a table with two partly filled wine glasses beside each bottle
Wines of the week The professionals’ pick for rock-solid Riesling at a reasonable price. From $14.99, £13. At a gathering for emerging leaders on...
Patrick Sullivan & Megan McLaren in Gippsland - Photo by Guy Lavoipierre
Tasting articles This cool-climate Australian region is finally living up to its early promise. Winegrowers Patrick Sullivan and Megan McLaren are pictured...
Institute of Masters of Wine logo
Free for all Congratulations to the latest crop of MWs, announced today by the Institute of Masters of Wine. The Institute of Masters...
Richard Brendon_JR Collection glasses with differen-coloured wines in each glassAll Wine
Mission Blind Tasting Just looking closely can help you figure out what wine is in your glass. Welcome back to Mission Blind Tasting...
Erbamat grapes
Inside information An ancient variety high in acidity and low in alcohol might help Franciacorta weather the effects of climate change. Last...
De Villaine, Fenal and Brett-Smith
Tasting articles An extreme vintage rarefied by eye-watering selection. Above, co-directors Betrand de Villaine and Perrine Fenal with Corney & Barrow’s managing...
Joseph Berkmann
Free for all 17 February 2026 Older readers will know the name Joseph Berkmann well. As outlined in the profile below, republished today...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.