White varieties have made their way to wineries in most Australian winemaking regions, but to mixed acclaim, while harvest for red varieties is still in progress, says a special report in
GrapeGrowers & Vignerons, April edition.
Extract from this week a detailed roundup give a good overall picture:
WA:
Although yields have dropped this year, Swan Valley and Regional Winemaker's Association president Anthony Kosovich says wineries are optimistic about fruit quality and verdelho is shaping up to be the region's highlight.
He says most of the state has reasonable supplies of white varieties, with many wineries in the Swan District also sourcing fruit from other regions.
Renowned for its premium wine production, Margaret River producers are benefiting from another stable season.
"From a winemaker perspective, they are very, very happy with the quality of whites that are in tanks at the moment," Margaret River Wine Industry Association chief executive officer Nick Power said.
SA:
While still in the early harvest phase as GG&V went to press, Adelaide Hills Wine Region president David Handyside said that despite the state's hot spell, winemakers were pleased with how vintage was progressing.
"Generally speaking, at the moment we are extremely pleased with the quality - it's been a near perfect year," he said.
VIC :
The Yarra Valley reports a strong vintage, regardless of the growing season progressing earlier than usual.
Yarra Valley Winegrowers Association spokesperson Michael Matthews says fruit quality is exceptional, with shiraz showing substantial quality, as well as pinot.
RIVERLAND:
Riverland Wine Industry Development Council executive officer Cameron Hills says the outlook for the region's production improved as the growing season progressed.
"By and large, the whites we are getting are generally very good with some very encouraging batches of fruit coming in," Mr Hills said.
Shiraz, although patchy in quality, and petit verdot have been most promising in the region, with the latter suited to the Riverland's warm temperatures.
Spanish and Italian varieties have also flourished.
Riverina:
Riverina Winemakers Association president Darren De Bortoli says, in general, wineries are most pleased with semillon quality but are slightly disappointed with shiraz.
Sauvignon blanc and pinot gris are in most demand.
"Obviously the hot weather at the moment is causing some issues with the reds ripening quickly," he said as GG&V went to press.
NSW:
Mudgee grape and wine producers have had to deal with increased disease pressure, such as botrytis and mildew.
Vintage had just begun for red varieties as GG&V went to press, but excessive rain during the past four to five months, following drought years, had impacted fruit supply.
Mudgee Wine Grape Growers Association president David Lowe said, "Whites are in short supply because it's been a tough year."
Cabernet sauvignon appears to be the standout variety for the region.
QLD:
In Queensland's Granite Belt region, winemakers are quietly positive about vintage, according to Granite Belt Wine and Tourism Industry Association Wine Subcommittee chair Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi.
"Most of the winemakers have got their whites in and in much better condition than what they were expecting a couple of weeks ago," she said as GG&V went to press.
"They're all very pleased - the reds are looking terrific."
Although the growing season was marred with excessive rain at the beginning of vintage, recent hot weather has put things back on track.
Mrs Puglisi-Gangemi says varieties are showing brilliant fruit acid balance and semillon, viognier and verdelho are standouts.
"Quality is certainly there for all the red varieties," she said.
SOURCE: Extract from detailed report inGrapeGrowers & Vignerons, April edition.
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