And the low Australian dollar has certainly helped in recent export success. This, according to Macquarie Research Equities associate director Stuart Smythe, has helped shares such as BRL Hardy register 32 per cent compound growth over the past two years, making it an outstanding share performer. Symthe says that over the next 10 years, Australia will have to fight to get a larger share of the US market. All in all, wine shares are providing good growth and returns when compared with other stocks. Of course, sharemarkets do occasionally collapse.
Wine is big business and, increasingly, big global business.
Perhaps the safest thing for the one or two people left in this country who do not own large sharemarket portfolios is to concentrate on drinking the stuff. Reasonably priced, drinkable wines may soon be a thing of the past. Like all our best beef, seafood and wool, the good wines will end up going offshore. It's a classic Australian story. The Age Company Ltd 2001.