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2011 vintage report for Swan Valley (Western Australia)

Supplied by Julie Church, Swan Valley and Regional Winemakers’ Association
Growing season: The weather leading up to vintage was dry, but as most vineyards have access to underground water sources, growers were able to substitute the lack of rainfall with irrigation. The ripening and vintage season was warm and dry with no significant rainfall.
Vintage: Vintage commenced in the second week of January with the harvesting of fortified winegrape varieties in mid-April marking the end of vintage 2011 in the region.
Yields and quality: One of the benefits of the low rainfall this year is that disease pressure was non-existent which means fruit has been of a consistently high standard. Reds have good colour and structure and the whites have good finesse and flavour. The quality of the grapes is high and with careful winemaking will produce wines of a high standard. The 2011 vintage in the Swan Valley has been exceptionally good. The Verdelho and Chenin Blanc varieties are looking sensational with excellent quality fruit. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are both showing intense colour with deep and complex flavours.