One important factor determined the fate of most New Zealand’s grape growers in 2000: latitude. The warmer northern areas were affected by early season rainfall, while the more southerly of the South Island regions had to deal with late rains around Easter, just as their crops were finishing their ripening. Those caught in between, which accounts for most of the wine grapes in New Zealand, harvested sound crops in good condition, but at lower yields than expected. Although highly respected viticulturist David Jordan puts a different spin on the reason, much of the blame for the low crop can be levelled at the cloudy, overcast springtime conditions around flowering and the poor fruit set which occurred as a result. Jordan, who earned his PhD on the subject, blames a phenomenon called early bunch stem necrosis (ESBN), something not generally recognised around the NZ industry. But given that some sauvignon blanc crops around the all-important Marlborough area at the north end of the South Island were reduced by 60%, Jordan’s opinion is suddenly in high demand over this issue. ‘It (ESBN) hits by lowering bunch numbers. You can get healthy counts early on, but then find that half the bunches have disappeared later in the season. It also reduces the number of berries on each bunch’, he explains. With overall production of sauvignon blanc down by around 40% at Marlborough, some of the larger public companies are keen for Jordan to find out more, especially since he believes mature vineyards of sauvignon blanc are most sensitive to it. Auckland The Auckland region had an excellent year and achieved fine levels of ripeness and flavour. Gisborne Rushed and only fair to middling, especially since the first rains began just as the all-important Gisborne chardonnay crop was being picked. Hawke’s Bay After a gloomy beginning an Indian summer surprised everyone by ripening chardonnay and merlot (especially) to unprecedented flavours, including even the exceptional 1998. Cabernet sauvignon was more of a challenge, since it was harvested later under wet and cloudy skies. Martinborough Top wines, especially pinot noir, from a third consecutive low-cropping season. Marlborough Excellent quality, especially in sauvignon blanc whose flavours appear incredibly intense. The only problem is their dismal yield. Pinot noir is variable and chardonnay performed well. Canterbury, Central Otago Central Otago’s pinot growers report good quality and excellent acid retention, but smaller yields than normal, while the cooler Canterbury vineyards finished by harvesting their later crops in damper conditions.
