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2010 vintage report for Tasmania

Supplied by Wine Industry Tasmania
Growing season: Tasmania’s 2010 vintage followed four years of drought and has seen a welcome return to reasonable yields after the very low 2009 harvest. Winter rains were well above average, basically giving us the whole season’s rainfall prior to budburst. Follow-up rains in spring and summer kept the soil moisture profile comfortable throughout the season. This led to excellent growth and good fruitset, which had a huge impact on the yield for vintage 2010. European wasps (Vespula spp.) were more than a nuisance, reducing potential yields in some vineyards by 20-30%. Overall, however, the impact has been very small, with a preliminary survey indicating wasp damage affected less than 1% of the total. Management of this pest can be frustrating as it can range up to 4km from its nest whilst foraging, and reinfestations of destroyed nests can occur very rapidly. Wine Industry Tasmania is working with other primary industry/horticulture bodies to pursue a more holistic, coordinated and community-based approach to vespid management to avoid such high population pressure in future. Elevated pressure from lightbrown apple moth and grapevine moth was reported, as well as scale insects. Powdery mildew was noted in many areas late in the season, as was botrytis bunch rot. Most vineyards avoided serious issues with all pests and diseases.
Vintage: Vintage came on earlier than usual by about a week and for many growers was compact. Most fruit was harvested by the end of April with the last of the Pinot Noir (mostly in the coolest regions) as well as Cabernet persisting into May.
Yields and quality: Preliminary yield estimates for Tasmania give a total of around 7500 tonnes, which is a 50% improvement on last vintage. All varieties were shown to increase from last vintage. This, combined with excellent weather throughout the growing season, has given Tasmania ideal conditions for a quality vintage. Quality has been very good, with many sparkling wine producers commenting on the potential for this vintage. Pinot Noir (the premier variety for Tasmania) produced well in tonnes and in quality, both for sparkling and for table wine. Chardonnay has been a highlight, with some winemakers claiming it may be the best in a decade.