Australia is burning with bushfires that are furious, out of control and unprecedented. They presently cover an area the size of Britain and the smell is reaching as far as India. Heartbreaking scenes of homelessness and unimaginable devastation, alongside pathetic images of starving and scorched animals are daily and horrendous reminders of the fires’ impact since they started in September last year.

So far, reports suggest that 12.35 million acres of Australian forest, parks and bush have been destroyed, the worst blazes being along the eastern and southern coastal areas, where most Australians live. The full extent of the destruction will become apparent only after the fires have finally died down.

Though little adverted to outside Australia, prime wine-growing regions have also suffered severe damage, some of it terminal, in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria, including some of Australia’s best-known areas: Hunter Valley, Canberra, Rutherglen, Gippsland and the Adelaide Hills have all been badly affected. Due to the effects of smoke taint and heat on this year’s crop, the 2020 vintage remains uncertain. But some vineyards have been partially destroyed beyond recovery.