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2011 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)

Supplied by John Beresford, president, Goulburn Valley Wine Association
Growing season: As with many regions across south-east Australia, the Goulburn Valley experienced one of the wettest growing seasons in recent memory. This, combined with periods of high relative humidity, allowed for vigorous growth facilitating the onset of mildew diseases at either end of the season. There were sporadic incidences of downy mildew at flowering that resulted in crop losses, particularly with growers unable to source suitable eradicant sprays during this critical time. Generally, most growers who reacted in a timely manner to early symptoms experienced only minor crop loss. Most of the early-ripening white varieties were harvested prior to the onset of botrytis and associated bunch rots causing any significant problems. There were some reports of later-ripening red varieties, particularly Shiraz and Merlot, that succumbed to botrytis. However, it was evident where extra canopy management and crop moderation measures were employed, disease levels were low and optimum flavour accumulation was achieved.
Vintage: Compared with recent drought-affected vintages experienced over the last decade, vintage commenced three to four weeks later. However, and more notably, harvest was only one week behind long-term phenological averages.
Yields and quality: Yields across all varieties not affected by disease ranged from average to 10% above average. Whites, especially Riesling and Chardonnay, are already displaying hallmark characteristics of a cooler growing season with crisp vibrancy resulting from an excellent natural acid balance. Reds are generally more variable in quality depending on sub-regional weather nuances. It was encouraging that flavour maturation was achieved at lower sugar levels than we have been accustomed to in recent years. Amidst some average quality fruit parcels there were also many outstanding parcels of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon which were exhibiting brilliant colour and flavour concentration at early stages of vinification. It is expected that the 2011 Goulburn Valley vintage, particularly at the top end, will produce wines of finesse, complexity and varietal typicity.