Grape grubbers: the case against wine industry re-regulation
The success of the free market Australian wine industry is threatened by renewed industry demands for government assistance. This article highlights the factors that led to the decline of wine sold including the increase in global competition, changing drinking patterns in major export markets and a strong Australian currency. The key drivers behind, and recommendations of the Wine Restructuring Action Agenda (WRAA) are also discussed. Recommendations for the industry include exploring different business models, recasting the relationships between grape growers and winemakers, additional investment in R & D, and finally, market expansion via in-country promotion.