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1997 vintage report for Murray Valley (South Australia)

Sultana yields were 50% down, but all other varieties were up by 5% in the Murray Valley (Sunraysia, Swan Hill) Region, reports Grieg Greenwood, Executive Officer of the Murray Valley Winegrape Industry Development Committee. Vintage started on 1 February, about normal for the region. The Sultana yields were affected by spring frosts and other varieties suffered in quality due to extreme heat in February. March and April were mild and fine and disease level was low. Grieg said the dry autumn in the region had allowed winemakers to hang the fruit on the vines to get the best possible result after the severe summer heat. He described the 1997 vintage quality for reds as ‘average’, with fruit ripening slowly but acid levels low. Quality of whites would be similar to reds, but Chardonnay had cropped well with high Baume. Fruit from newly-developed vineyards has significantly increased the supply of premium grape varieties, especially Chardonnay and Shiraz, according to BRL Hardy’s chief winemaker Peter Dawson. Overall the company’s tonnage in this region was less than 1996, due to a reduced intake of neutral white varieties. As with most other regions in south eastern Australia, heatwave conditions in February followed by extended period of mild weather delayed ripening. The last of the Cabernet Sauvignon from the Murray Valley was not picked until the first week in May. The extended dry ripening season has resulted in optimal fruit maturity in all good vineyards,’ said Peter Dawson. Chardonnay wines were noticeably finer with attractive melon and citrus fruit characters, he said. ‘Shiraz has been the stand-out variety with wines generally exhibiting great colours and richness of flavour.