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2015 vintage report for New England (New South Wales)

The 2015 vintage promises to be one of the best in recent times in the New England region, according to Sam Watson from the New England Wine Industry Association.
“While the region is one of the largest in the country and conditions vary greatly, generally the vintage was kind and the fruit from the vintage is looking sensational,” Watson said.
In the North of the region, around Tenterfield, conditions early in the growing made for a difficult start to the season. Limited rain throughout the spring forced growers to irrigate, however in late November, the rain arrived, and plenty of it over the next month and a half.
Throughout the remainder of the region around the towns of Inverell, Glen Innes, Armidale and Tamworth, rain was scattered through veraison.
“Some experienced plenty of rain ensuring great fruit growth, while others in the centre of the region had a dry spell,” Watson said. “More scattered showers through the picking season mixed in with some warm temperatures made harvest tricky in places, but most vineyards were able to get fruit off the vines in good time ensuring the fruit quality remained.”
Watson said yields throughout the region varied and all hinged on the early spring rain and irrigation. While botrytis was evident throughout the vintage, ensuring pressure on the harvest, the majority of vignerons were able to manage this effectively through handpicking and removal of diseased grapes.
“Plenty of heroes will come from the 2015 Vintage. Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Gewürztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc are all looking good, with plenty of Pinot Noir throughout the region also looking promising,” Watson said.