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I Consumers may start to whine about the shortages of wine That's Life Andy Juniper Guest Contributor 13 | Thursday, November 7, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com 'm telling you right now, this could get ugly. Correction: this is already ugly and can only get uglier. The basic problem, you see, is supply cannot keep up with demand, and consumers are getting nervous. You might say, they're getting whiny about not being able to get their, ah, wine. Apparently, it's simple math (and you know how I loathe math, simple or otherwise). According to a report by Morgan Stanley Research, the world wine industry is experiencing, "the deepest shortfall in over 40 years of records" -- an "undersupply of nearly 300 million cases a year." This, despite the fact there are one million wine producers in the world, cranking out 2.8 billion cases each year. Alas, that's not near enough wine to keep pace with global thirst. Exacerbating the situation is global warming and this ckle little thing called weather -- speci cally, bad weather, which has undermined the entire industry of late. Take last year for example: production in Europe plummeted 10 per cent, while global production plunged by more than ve per cent -- to its lowest level since the 1960s -- because of bad grape-growing weather, particularly in France and Argentina. Oh, and over that same period of time, worldwide consumption rose another one per cent. According to the report, wine production has been in a freefall since it crested back in 2004, or what I like to call "the good old days." That is, the time when wine supply surpassed demand by 600 million cases. If only I could invent a time machine, go back to 2004 and snag the 600 million leftover cases, I could help our close friends survive a week or two of this shocking shortage. Well, maybe not that long.... Yes, dear readers, our friends like their vino. They like it in a big way. And when their wine-well runs dry, they will surely get (how can I put this delicately) -- cranky. Very cranky. To the point where it may no longer be pleasant, or safe, to be around them. When I informed them about this shortage, in an emergency conference call, well, let's just say most of them truncated the call, busy as they were renting massive U-Hauls and tearing off to their local liquor stores. Those who remained on the line did so only because, in their fragile emotional state, they were unable to do anything more than curl up in the fetal position, hug an old wine cork, and weep uncontrollably. So, how does Morgan Stanley (whose slogan may as well be Purveyors of Doom) see this shortage playing out? "Inventories will likely be reduced as current consumption continues to be predominantly supplied by previous vintages." And in the long-term? "Expect the current production shortfall to culminate in a signi cant increase in export demand, and higher prices for exports globally." Like I said, it's ugly, and it's bound to get uglier. Fortunately, my wife and I are not at all like our friends. Sure, we enjoy an occasional glass of wine, but we're not, like, dependant or anything. I mean, it's not like we're about to head out to the backyard in our gardening gear to desperately try and locate a dry patch of soil on our soggy acreage upon which to plant a grapevine. No, it's not like that at all. -- Andy Juniper can be contacted at ajjuniper@gmail.com, found on Facebook www.facebook.com, or followed on Twitter at www.twitter.com/thesportjesters. Say yes.... to the party dress!! Deborah's Natural Weight Loss Over 59,000 lbs & inches lost · From Energy Fitness · From Dr. Jeff's In business for 27 years ! Want 10lbs & 20" off, for holiday partying?? . . . . Yes!! Call or Text 905.407.4831 deborahsnaturalweightloss.com Insurance Solutions CALL TODAY FOR A NO OBLIGATION QUOTE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN IPAD!* TM PROTECTING THE THINGS THAT YOU'VE WORKED HARD FOR. WE UNDERSTAND + With the purchase of a meal valued at minimum $10, receive a 15%VIP discount.Taxes applicable.Coupon must be presented for validation.Not valid in conjunction with any other coupon or offer. One coupon per client per visit. Valid from Monday to Sunday at Ben & Florentine, Oakville.Expiration date : November 22nd, 2013. BIG = SAVINGS You deserve to be rewarded. Call us today for a Home & Auto insurance quote. Compare & Save Today! 1-877-633-4840 Winner will be selected randomly from all of the no-obligation quotes completed. Draw date 1/30/2014. Winner will be notified by email or phone.