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1997 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)

David Tr’ger, president of the Goulburn Valley Wine Association, said 1997 had proved at this early stage to have been one of the best vintages experienced in the last 25 years in terms of quality. Yields were down as expected because of the high yields experienced in 1996, and some early frost damaged budburst in the advanced varieties at the start of the season. David said in the warmer areas of the northern Goulburn Valley the onset of very hot conditions and the dry summer saw picking begin early, while in the cooler southern parts of the region a delay in vine activity as a result of the very hot weather resulted in a delay to the start of vintage.’ This abnormal late ripening, combined with warm and dry autumn conditions, allowed for excellent flavour development and very good to quite high sugar accumulation. The resulting whites have volumes of fruit and flavour, while the reds can only be described as exceptional with intense colours and in most cases good natural acid levels,’ he said. The ideal vintage conditions enabled picking to proceed smoothly with grapes being picked at optimum maturity and generally as winemakers would like. ‘Some red varieties, notably Taranga and Mataro, have had some colour stability problems due to the hot conditions early in vintage, but most winemakers would accept similar vintage conditions on a regular basis without any hesitation!’ said David.