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1997 vintage report for Canberra (NSW/ACT)

A dry late summer and autumn with average temperatures around 25 °C made for ideal ripening conditions, reports Roger Harris from Brindabella Hills Winery. Yields were down 25%; there was some evidence of budmite damage and phomopsis or botryosph’ria. Several severe frosts in October and November caused damage in some vineyards. Vintage started at the end of March, normal for the district, and there was nine weeks without rain during vintage. Disease pressure was low after spring. Roger said yields were down 25% but fruit quality was outstanding, with great concentration of flavour. He described the quality of red wines as the best since 1990-91. Yields were low in white varieties, especially Chardonnay, but quality was excellent, particularly the Riesling.