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1996 vintage report for Adelaide Plains (South Australia)

Joe Grilli, president of the Adelaide Plains Region, was enthusiastic about his region’s vintage. ‘The slightly cooler conditions of the season played into our hands beautifully and 1996 will go down as one of the area’s loveliest,’ he said. ‘Canes and buds formed in the previous year were healthy and fruitful, there was no disease to speak of or climatic problems.’ Vintage started early in February, as normal. Joe reports that in the red varieties, deep coloured wines have emerged, with satisfying mid-palates and full body from high-Baume fruit. The only exception to this was the odd patch of over-cropped fruit. ‘Aromatic whites look great with some of the best-ever sugar/pH ratios recorded, due mainly to many cool nights. Chardonnays and Semillons are a little more stylish,’ Joe said.