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2000 vintage report for Upper Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

Graeme Pearson, president of the Upper Hunter Winemakers Association, said early Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for sparkling wine base was picked prior to Australia Day — well ahead of previous years. Gr’me said yields were generally lower than last year. ‘In some cases the yields were down by 10 to 15% on older vines, mainly I think due to normal seasonal variation. Vines that cropped for the first or second time cropped well,’ he said. The weather during February was not typical for the Upper Hunter Valley with less than 10 mm recorded on most vineyards. ‘More of this in the future would be greatly appreciated,’ Gr’me said. Due to the low rainfall the normal pressures of botrytis were non-existent. The winter before the 2000 vintage was wet and provided a good base for the growing season and the lead-up to vintage was normal with storms providing adequate rainfall as a follow up. Growing conditions were cooler than normal. ‘Having a dry February made for most probably the best vintage that I can recall in almost ten years,’ Gr’me said. He described the 2000 vintage for reds as outstanding with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot being the star performers with intense colour and flavours. The 2000 vintage for whites was equally as good as the reds. The outstanding performers were Semillon and Verdelho with high Baume, high acid and good flavour.