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2011 vintage report for Langhorne Creek (South Australia)

Supplied by Lian Jaensch, executive officer, Langhorne Creek Grape and Wine Inc.
Growing season: The 2011 vintage – a roller coaster of highs and lows – will be remembered as one of the most climatically challenging ever experienced in Langhorne Creek. The welcome ‘highs’ for the season emerged from the above average rainfall in winter and spring leading to high vigour and a return to average or above average crop levels in the majority of vineyards. Fruit set was excellent and yields were looking high. A cool summer and autumn led to high natural acidity, especially in whites, good perfume, low Baume and low alcohol in wines. Dense canopy growth provided sun protection for fruit when the region was hit by two 44°C+ degree days in January. High rainfall replenished soils, flushed salts and reduced irrigation costs for growers. It has been a great year for young vine establishment with cooler weather and high soil moisture in the top soil.
Vintage: The untimely ‘lows’ did take their toll – it rained…and rained…and rained. Humidity was high and the fungal disease pressure escalated across the district. This compounded with a late start to harvest resulting in a high stress, compressed vintage period and end to the season. Cooler temperatures resulted in low sugar levels in reds which posed some winemaking challenges. There was a high level of selective picking for most red varieties in the region this year due to the high disease pressure from downy and powdery mildew, botrytis and other bunch rots. The overall district yield was severely impacted with an expectation of approximately 20% lower total tonnage from Langhorne Creek compared with 2010. Harvest began about three to four weeks later than the previous vintage. The first sparkling base and white varieties were taken at the end of February and the first week of March. Vintage concluded for most by the Easter break in late April.
Yields and quality: The ‘silver lining’ from the vintage will certainly be the anticipated excellent white wines. Verdelho, Sauvignon Blanc and early picked Chardonnay will be sure to please consumers and showcase Langhorne Creek whites. For those liking reds, some stand out parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and early picked Shiraz will produce gems this year but total yield was down so consumers would be advised to buy early when these wines are released. It has also been a fantastic year for alternative varieties with good parcels of Petit Verdot, Malbec, Merlot and Tempranillo reported.