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2011 vintage report for Tasmania

Supplied by Sheralee Davies, chief executive, Wine Tasmania
Growing season: Mild weather and frequent rainfall encouraged vegetative growth and full bunches, but also brought disease pressure that threatened to bring the vintage undone. The strong vegetative growth meant increased shoot thinning and leaf plucking was needed to keep canopies open. As veraison was delayed and ripening took longer than usual, growers reassessed their crop loads and started bunch thinning to ensure the fruit could be ripened before the onset of senescence. Disease management was undertaken with great care and forethought, as it usually is in Tasmania, and this inherent skill has stood the 2011 crop in good stead.
Vintage: Vintage started two weeks late with the fruit for sparkling wine. The majority of fruit in Tasmania is hand-harvested from small patches, so picking was not problematic. Two intense rain events did impact the timing of some harvests.
Yields and quality: What growers were left with was a harvest of delicate yet concentrated fruit of superior quality, great acidity and lower Baume. All in all, though not without its challenges, 2011 should produce a Tasmanian vintage to savour.