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1997 vintage report for Far South Western Victoria

The Far South Western Victorian Viticultural Association president, Alistair Taylor, said yields in the area had been of average size but the quality was ‘exceptional,’ especially in Pinot Noir and sparkling varieties. ‘All fruit had good acid/pH balance and reached the desired maturity, due to dry growing conditions,’ Alistair said. In some varieties yields were up 10%. Weather at flowering was generally good for early varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris, but there were some problems with fruit set of Cabernet. Weather through vintage was very good. ‘Basically we had no disease problems apart from some botrytis in later-picked Riesling,’ Alistair said. ‘With no disease pressure, grapes reached full maturity.’He said red wines from the area would be excellent, with Pinot Noir outstanding. The whites would also be excellent, with sparkling varieties having very good balance.