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2008 vintage report for Tasmania

By Stuart Nettlefold
Executive Officer
Wine Industry Tasmania

The Tasmanian vintage started in late February and finished in the first week of June. Yields were in the upper range with bunch weights appearing to be similar to 2004 and 2001, which should give Tasmania a record harvest of approximately 10,000t from 1300ha. Tasmania experienced clear skies and above average day and night time temperatures, leading to ripe fruit and good flavours.

Sparkling fruit was harvested from late February starting with early ripening blocks of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The sparkling harvest proceeded through March to early April.

Despite warm conditions peaking on 17 March, grape composition was close to ideal.

White varieties ripened in unusual sequence. Riesling was particularly early, but of excellent quality. At this stage, whites are showing very good, clean, varietal characters at lower Baumés. The season was virtually disease free.

Pinot Noir accounts for more than 70% of red grape plantings in Tasmania. The harvest of this variety for table wine started in mid-March and reached a peak in mid-April. In cooler areas fruit was still being harvested in mid-May. Much of the Pinot Noir was picked at ideal ripeness with good acidity and low pH.