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1998 vintage report for Hastings River (New South Wales)

There were unusually dry harvest conditions and a very smooth vintage in the Hastings River region. Vintage started a little earlier than usual on 22 January with sparkling base. Spokesman for the Hastings River Vignerons, John Cassegrain, reports that yields were about 5% down on last year, mainly because of the necessity to prune vines hard due to a poor growing season in the previous year. Weather during vintage was hot and dry with no great incidence of mildew or other disease. John Cassegrain describes the 1998 vintage quality for reds as ‘excellent’ for early and mid-season varieties such as Pinot Noir and Chambourcin, and ‘average’ for late season varieties. He said whites were generally very good, particularly Semillon and Verdelho.