“May you live in interesting times,” goes the old Chinese curse.And undoubtedly, we seem to live in times that are too interesting by half.
The full consequences of the Covid19 pandemic are yet to be realised but the economic reality is setting in. The most recent forecast is that over 240,000 small business will go to the wall in the next three months and that the unemployment figure will reach 7%, if not more. No surprise that anyone in business will be looking to save the pennies wherever and whenever they can.
Prior to Covid, Asia has always been an obvious hunting ground for anyone looking to find cheaper product, be it wine and beer bottle or the many closures on offer. For Crown seals, those manufactured in China have seemed to fit the bill, certainly when it came to price.
That market, whether it be for import or export, is now in confusion and normal sources there are becoming unreliable. With the current Chinese attitude towards Australia – and particularly the Australian wine market – there is no prediction where their arbitrary axe might fall, and certainly no guarantee of supply of any materials until the “unpleasantness” is resolved.
This, coupled with continuing research and technology in the area, are pointing to Europe as being the only really reliable source of Crown seals. It’s really not a matter of one size fits all. The quality of seals can vary dramatically: the cheaper the seal the less the guarantee of protection for your wine. Leakage is a real and ever-present threat, when a guarantee of 100% reliability isn’t there. Where sparkling wines are concerned, this has to be the ultimate test.
Similarly, supplies of glass from Asia into Australia could be subject to unexpected embargo, and again the question of whether cheaper glass is the economic solution to financial woes. Experience has shown that problems attach themselves to glass produced in a market where exacting standards aren’t applied, unlike Europe, where glass producers pride themselves on the excellence of their product.
There are bound to be economic and practical ramifications post Covid19 that aren’t yet evident. The decisions and purchases made now will affect your wine production for many years, and Pipwin is here to give you whatever information and assistance you might need in making them.
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