201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato, CA, United States of America, 94949
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Ciatti Global Market Report, February 2022
The first few weeks of 2022 on the bulk wine market can generally be characterised as hesitant, as last year’s OND sales and the coming crops in the Southern Hemisphere were assessed. The retail sales picture is difficult to generalise, but it looks like sales in those markets that received a pandemic bump are pulling back, while those that took a pandemic dip are recovering, so that – from a global perspective – sales volumes and patterns are evening back out to the pre-pandemic normal. COVID-19 is being referred to in the past tense in some markets – such as the UK and Scandinavia – and the WHO has said that, while the pandemic is not over, the world is now in a “ceasefire” with the virus “that could bring us enduring peace”.
Until such time as sales patterns begin to settle, the bulk wine markets will continue to proceed incrementally on all but the short or most in demand wines such as international white varietals (namely Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay) and higher-quality reds. On the reds, supply quality in Europe is heterogenous due to the frost-affected growing season, particularly in France, so the higher qualities represent a smaller percentage of total availability; consequently, buyers seeking the best price-quality ratios are urged to make their needs known sooner rather than later as headline red inventory figures may mask the true nature of the underlying market.
It’s far too early, meanwhile, to call this year’s South Hemisphere vintages, but tentative signs are for average-sized crops in Chile, South Africa and New Zealand and potentially a slightly below-average crop in Argentina; Australia’s potential is not yet discernible. The Southern Hemisphere summers except Chile’s seem to have been wetter and – in some cases – more humid than normal, all the while January in the Northern Hemisphere’s vineyards was drier than average. This counterintuitive picture is potentially attributable to the weather phenomenon La Niña.
The logistical headaches – shipping containers shortages, port congestion – seem to be easing week-on-week in some markets, though they remain suboptimal everywhere, especially on the west coast of the Americas. Annual inflation, meanwhile, continues to climb in the US (+7% in December), UK (+5.4% in December) and the Eurozone (+5.1% in January, a record), accelerating input costs and, potentially, damaging consumer spending as the year wears on. Rising inflation and logistics problems are compounding the hesitancy on the bulk market as buyers must not only calculate if it is possible to get wines from A to B in time but whether they can accept the rising cost of bottles, cardboard, labels, and other dry goods on top of already elevated freight costs.
Buyers and suppliers are going to have to be extra amenable and flexible in their relationships this year in order to make things work. The WHO’s “peace” will hopefully allow the return of well-attended global trade shows after two years without them, an important development for building and strengthening such relationships. (ProWein in Düsseldorf has been postponed due to Omicron, but only by two months to 15-17th May; the London Wine Fair has, in turn, moved back three weeks to 7-9th June.) Ciatti is here ready to draw on its decades of experience to help bolster bulk wine and grape relationships every step of the way in 2022. Read on for detailed updates from each market, get in touch with us directly for help, and stay safe.
About
With 8 offices world wide, Ciatti serves our clients with the most up-to-date and accurate market information available. Please contact us with any questions. We are truly at your service.
Greg Livengood
President, Partner and Broker
Greg joined Ciatti in 1994 and became a partner in 1997. Greg has used his degree in International Relations to build Ciatti into the world recognized leader in the alcohol beverage business. Greg is currently the President and CEO of the company and drives the international group.
Email:greg@ciatti.com
Steve Dorfman
Partner and Broker
Steve Dorfman joined Ciatti in 2007 after working with the Brown-Forman Corporation, Fetzer Vineyards, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards and Bolla Wine brands for 24 years. His primary responsibilities are wine and grape sales within California, and the supply demands of markets throughout Europe, South Africa and Australia.
Email:steve@ciatti.com
John Ciatti
John White
Partner and Broker
Ciatti has a long history of seeking to provide clients with a well rounded team of brokers whose experience in the industry cover the breadth of the business. John joined the company in 2003 after working as a Winemaker for several of California's major producers for 20 years. John's emphasis is maintaining relationships with California wineries ranging from the largest to the smallest. John has focused on all aspects of growth within the business, from long-term custom crush contracts to spot bulk wine and grape sales. His speciatly is the sourcing and selling of premium varietal lots from the coastal and interior regions of California.
Email:johnw@ciatti.com
Chris Welch
Partner and Broker
Chris Welch joined Ciatti in 1994, and began brokering bulk wine and grapes in 2003 and became a partner in company in 2007. The premium and super premium segment of the California wine industry are the breeding grounds of innovation and where Chris truly excels. His consistent approach helps small and medium size wineries and negotiants achieve the innovation and growth they seek. Chris also works very closely with the Oregon Wine Industry.
Email:chris@ciatti.com
Glenn Proctor
Partner and Broker
Glenn Proctor joined Ciatti in 2003 and became a partner in 2007. Glenn advises wineries on supply positioning and works closely with growers and wineries in marketing their grapes and wine. He specializes in spot and contract bulk wine and grapes sales from all regions of California. He has over 23 years of experience in wine supply strategy, wine-grape quality improvement, brand strategy, and business development. Glenn was previously the Vice President of Winegrowing for Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines, and before that was a Director at Benziger/Glen Ellen Winery during its rapid growth in the early 1990's.
Email:glenn@ciatti.com
Broker
Johnny Leonardo joined Ciatti in 2004 as a broker and knows that surviving in a dynamic wine industry requires one to be a Jack-of-all-Trades. He has experience in all aspects of winery and vineyard operation, from the field to the street. Johnny has developed and managed vineyards, and worked in wine sales and marketing.
Email:johnny@ciatti.com
Andy Bivona
Broker
Andy joined Ciatti as a broker in 1996. His areas of expertise and responsibility include grape and fruit concentrates, beverage and industrial alcohol, fruit alcohol and brandy, and food specialty products. Andy's knowledge of these products has allowed him to branch out and work throughout various parts of the world including Mexico, South America and Europe. Andy remains a wealth of knowledge and offers a creative approach to all endeavors.
Email:abivona@hvc.rr.com
Todd Azevedo
Broker
Todd Azevedo joined Ciatti in 2004 after completing his Agricultural Finance degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Although Todd brokers wine, grapes, and wine products throughout the state of California, Todd's focus is on the California Central Coast.
Email:todd@ciatti.com
Mark Ishimaru
Customer Account Representative - North America
Joined Ciatti in 2011.
Email: mark@ciatti.com
Molly Richardson
Customer Account Representation - Grower Accounts
Joined Ciatti in 2016
Email: Molly@ciatti.com
Administrative/Accounting Assistant
Joined Ciatti in 2000.
Email:alette@ciatti.com
Michael FungCustomer Account Representative - Sample Room
Joined Ciatti in 2013.
Email: michael@ciatti.com
Contact
Contact List
| Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Partner/Broker | John Ciatti | john@ciatti.com | 4152640762 | |
| Partner/Broker | Steve Dorfman | steve@ciatti.com | 7073213843 | |
| Partner/Broker | Greg Livengood | greg@ciatti.com | 4154975032 | |
| Partner/Broker | Glenn Proctor | glenn@ciatti.com | 7073370609 | |
| Partner/Broker | Chris Welch | chris@ciatti.com | 4152988316 | |
| Partner/Broker | John White | johnw@ciatti.com | 4152500685 | |
| Broker | Todd Azevedo | todd@ciatti.com | 4152656943 | |
| Broker | Johnny Leonardo | johnny@ciatti.com | 4157174438 | |
| Broker | Dennis Schrapp | dennis@ciatticanada.com | 9059338855 |
Location List
| Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIATTI Global Wine & Grape Brokers | 201 Alameda Del Prado, #101, Novato | CA | United States of America | 94949 |
List of Locations
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