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2001 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)

The 2001 Goulburn Valley vintage was generally regarded as being successful in spite of summer heat extremes, with reports of average to exceptional quality fruit being received at all wineries, according to John Beresford, secretary of the Goulburn Valley Wine Association. The season commenced with abundant opening spring rains coinciding with budburst, followed by a stabilising long dry spell with some helpful intermittent showers. Most growers were able to defer irrigation until the new year, and in some instances growers with mature, deep rooted vines did not find it necessary to irrigate for the entire season. Despite the intense heat conditions over January, there was adequate soil moisture present to carry mature vines through. There were some instances of heat and moisture stress in immature vines, particularly where the topsoil had dried very quickly but surprisingly few reports of sunburn occurrences. John said some general rains were experienced throughout Southern Victoria during early March; however the Central Victorian/Goulburn Valley region north of the Divide generally did not receive enough rainfall to cause concern from a disease and resultant quality viewpoint. Significant rainfalls were recorded throughout the valley in the third week of April by which time 95% of fruit had been harvested at optimum maturity levels and was safely within winery confines. The period between early March and mid April provided an ideal climatic window with long, warm autumn days and tempering cooler nights ensuring perfect conditions for flavour accumulation and optimisation of varietal characteristics across a wide range of varieties. ‘Of the major white varieties, both Riesling and Chardonnay showed some intense varietal characters; however pH levels were unusually high which can be attributed to temperature,’ John said. ‘Once again, many of the Rh(ne varieties performed extremely well. Viognier from the central Goulburn Valley is displaying some of its unique rose petal and apricot flavours, the intensity of which has not been experienced for many vintages.’ The long dry summer and autumn conditions rewarded Goulburn Valley winemakers with some fully flavoured and rounded reds. Winemakers reported some exceptional Shiraz and Merlot parcels sourced from within the Goulburn Valley with moderate to average yields. Cabernet Sauvignon yields were generally slightly above average and quality very good with high sugar and ripeness levels being reached.