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2013 vintage report for Goulburn Valley (Victoria)

Only two words are needed to describe vintage 2013 in the Goulburn Valley: ‘hot’ and ‘dry’.
That’s according to Neil Larson, secretary for the Goulburn Valley Wine Association, and winemaker at Tahbilk winery.
“The flipside is that we had very few disease concerns – a welcome relief after the wakeup call that was 2011,” he said.
“After one of the driest growing seasons on record (and the hottest summer in Australia since records began) it was a relief to pick the first whites and as see that there were fresh, crisp and delicate flavours in the fruit – despite the warm temperatures.”
In the third week of February, the region received general rains of 25-50mm which enabled the vines to take up some much-needed water. This facilitated steady sugar and flavour accumulation of the remaining fruit, and reduced the risk of over-ripe characters.
Larson said this vintage has the potential to be a very good year.
“Overall, the vintage has been trouble-free with most parcels being picked near optimum ripeness and in great condition,” he said.