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1997 vintage report for Mudgee (New South Wales)

The Mudgee region recorded a good crop level in 1997, according to Pieter van Gent, President of the Mudgee Wine Grape Growers’ Association. Good rains from September to December 1996 led to increases in yields for most growers. ‘It has been dry ever since, apart from inclement weather in February which worried a few of us,’ said Pieter. ‘Some winemakers may have started a little early because of it but the weather changed and a long dry spell followed which dried up the little rot that may have been there.’ Pieter described the 1997 reds as having ‘good varietal flavour and good to outstanding colour.’ He said the whites also showed good flavour. ‘For some the Semillon is extra good, and the Sauvignon Blanc, too.’He said because crop levels were high it took a little longer to get Baume levels up (to 13 °Be). ‘Increase in tonnage also meant delays, so one winemaker picked his last grapes (reds) on 13 May, some 2-3 weeks later than normal,’ Peter said.