2006 Southern Hemisphere Harvest
Winemakers are extremely optimistic about the new vintage
Posted: Friday, June 09, 2006
At the same time that winemakers in Europe and North America are thinking about sipping tropical drinks adorned with little umbrellas, their southern colleagues are hard at work picking and crushing grapes. Now that their harvest is done, it's time to take a look at what's in the barrels and tanks. And so far in 2006, winemakers across the Southern Hemisphere are reporting that they have reason to be very happy.
The growing season has much to do with what a wine ultimately tastes like in the glass, and this year's conditions made for relatively smooth sailing. Producers from the major wine regions have shared with us their experience of the season--what kind of weather they saw, along with what adjustments they may have had to make in the vineyards and cellar as a result--and how they think the finished wines will turn out.
Below are links to full reports on the quality and style of wines you can expect from the 2006 vintage throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America.
Argentina
Growers report excellent results with Malbec, the country's leading variety, as well as with other important grapes, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Australia
Winemakers say the country's signature grape, Shiraz, looks strong across the board. In some regions, whites such as Chardonnay and Riesling could impress as well.
Chile
A long growing season with a late harvest has vintners saying that Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and late-ripening reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenère should be standouts.
New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc is always a safe bet, but a warm, dry season and an early harvest mean it could be a breakthrough year for Bordeaux-style reds in the north and Pinot Noir in the south.
South Africa
A repeat performance following a strong 2005? Warm, dry conditions on the Cape could result in a solid year for Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
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