This is a credit to the local industry as 2014 was considered dry. We know Mudgee alone fell short of its yearly rainfall average by about 170 millimetres.

Fortunately there has been enough rainfall during December and January to help Mudgee grapes grow and now the industry needs little water over the next month or so as harvest takes place. 

During this period wine grape growers and winemakers are often dancing on eggshells, praying their crops don’t end on the scrapheap.

There is a lot at stake

This week the Australian Grape and Wine Authority reported in 2014 the country’s wine export volume increased by 1.9 per cent to 700 million litres at a total value of $1.82 billion. 

Australian wine exports have seen positive growth for the first time since 2007 and premium price segments saw the strongest growth.

This should provide some confidence to Mudgee and the other 64 Australian wine regions who dabble in exports.

Better still, wouldn’t it be great to see in the coming year figures showcasing Australians purchasing more home-grown wine. 

As a country we produce wines using more than 100 grape varieties, meaning there is likely to be a wine suited to most palettes.

An at length discussion with a Mudgee winemaker some years back showed that if we as a region increased local wine purchases by 10 per cent the positive economic impact to local business would be siginificant.

As Australia Day is around the corner, it would be great to see a glass of Mudgee wine in hand.

According to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority, about 30 million glasses of Australian wine are consumed daily.

We’ll toast to that.