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2001 vintage report for Hunter Valley (New South Wales)

Vintage in the Hunter Valley started on 15 January, one week earlier than normal. Bruce Tyrrell, president of the Hunter Valley Vineyard Association, said yields were approximately the same as the 2000 vintage. The figure would have been 15% higher than this but for the extreme heat in mid to late January. There was rain each Tuesday from 23 January, with approximately 175 mm falling during the vintage period. Extreme heat was a feature during mid to late January. On 15 January the temperature reached 47¦C in some parts of the region. The resultant sunburn and intermittent rain caused some fruit to soften and be picked early. Bruce said that Semillon was picked during the hotter conditions and shows some higher than normal alcohol and concentrated flavours. Chardonnay has slightly lower than normal sugars but plenty of flavour, freshness and finesse reminiscent of the 1993 wines. In Shiraz the style is finer and more elegant, with very little wine over 12.5% alcohol.