2008 Crush: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon Crash; Chardonnay Off Slightly. Other Surprising Gains and Losses

UPDATE: Merlot drop added, 4:23 p.m. Tuesday.

The 2008 California Crush Report shows some surprising losers and gainers with Merlot tonnage down 25.93 percent and Cabernet Sauvignon’s dropping 23.6-percent. Among the major varietals,  only Carignane dropped more, with a 49.2-percent decline.

Syrah, Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Petite Sirah and Zinfandel also declined.

Chardonnay, the most popular white varietal, declined slightly, down 4.16 percent. Other popular white varietals, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc showed declines of over 13 percent while Semillion and Pinot Blanc dropped 27 and 28 percent respectively.

GAINERS KEEP CRUSH DECLINE JUST 6 PERCENT LESS THAN 2007

Tempranillo increased almost 77 percent while the ever-Sideways Pinot Noir grew somewhat over 17 percent. Grenache, Primitivo and Alicante Bouschet all posted impressive gains.

DOWNLOAD EXCEL SPREADSHEET OF ALL VARIETALS

Wine Industry Insight has created a spreadsheet for you of all varietals and their percentage changes. It shows the same format as the image above.

Click here to download.