Although it’s too early to be confident over Tasm-ania’s 1997 vintage, leading consultant winemaker Andrew Hood is cautiously optimistic. The year started a week or so late and recent fine weather is helping the vines to catch up to schedule. There is little dramatic corporate news in Tasm-ania for the moment, but several positive signs are encouraging local producers. The State’s larger vineyards are steadily expanding, while for the first time several larger mainland companies are seeking Tasmanian fruit for table wines. Most fruit taken from Tasmania to the mainland has hitherto been earmarked for sparkling wine. Andrew Hood perceives a general shortage of good fruit in Tasmania and reports that several significant local producers are seeking to purchase fruit above what they can grow themselves.
