Meanwhile, the 2012 Australian vintage is currently estimated at around 1.53 million tonnes, Australia’s lowest production since the 1.41 million tonnes produced back in 2007. Small berry weights and bunch numbers in the east of the country resulting from vine damage sustained during the cold, wet 2011 season have contributed to this small yield. Chardonnay, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon appear to be the most affected. The poor crop level was further exacerbated by heavy rains and floods in late February and early March this year in regions like Griffith in eastern NSW and northern Victoria causing outbreaks of disease and substantial crop losses. Fortunately, growers across several major regions remain optimistic about their quality from 2012. Learning from the lessons of 2011, growers generally responded when they could by thinning and spraying more regularly. The 2012 wines I have tasted from southern Australian regions justify the high expectations of many winemakers, although it’s still too early to call the vintage.
