Searing heat is threatening to end the fairytale build-up to the 2004 Australian vintage. Early indications that this season might be the first genuine wall-to-wall vintage of any significant quality since 1998 are already less likely to be realised, as temperatures well over 40 degrees Celsius are literally cooking and sunburning fruit in several inland regions. Quality and quantity are likely to be affected. Just to give you something of an idea, the last ten days in Renmark (the Riverlands, SA) have recorded temperatures of 41.5, 45, 26.5, 42.5, 28, 41, 39, 45, 40 and 38 (today). The last ten in Griffith (Riverina, New South Wales) have been: 40, 41, 31, 40.5, 36, 39.5, 42, 47.5, 42 and 38 (today). Clare (South Australia) is a high-quality region whose last nine days have recorded: 39, 35, 40, 39, 34, 36, 43, 38 and 37 (today). Thankfully, riesling is some time away from ripening and is very heat-resistant. The Barossa isn’t escaping the heat, and its last four days have recorded temperatures of 36, 43, 40 and 36 (today). The temperatures above are in degrees Centigrade.
