2002 Harvest: Highs and Lows in the Southern Hemisphere

Posted: May 30, 2002

		Machine harvesters pick the large Sauvignon Blanc crop in New Zealand's Marlborough region. Photo by Bob Campbell
		Argentina
		Australia
		Chile
		New Zealand
		South Africa
		The 2001 Southern Hemisphere Harvest Report

Following are links to full reports of what to expect from the 2002 vintage in major wine regions throughout Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and South America.

Argentina

Despite their country's economic woes, Argentina's winemakers have reason for optimism with the outstanding 2002 harvest, which one winemaker called the best in 15 years. The country's signature variety, Malbec, looks superb, as do Syrah and Tempranillo.

Australia

The story this year is one of exceptional quality but significantly reduced yields in Australia's premium wine regions. In contrast to 2001, when the quality of the red varieties was stronger than the whites, 2002 seems to favor both equally.

Chile

Here, the 2002 vintage is a tale of two halves. Chile's northern regions fared quite well weather-wise, and Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc were of particularly good quality. In the south, heavy rains led to the spread of rot, damaging the crop.

New Zealand

New Zealand had a record-size harvest, with almost every region reaping an unusually bountiful crop. There will be plenty of sought-after Sauvignon Blanc, though quality is likely to be variable, while warm weather favored Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Pinot Noir.

South Africa

Winemakers in Stellenbosch and nearby areas of South Africa were challenged by up-and-down weather, from a wet winter to harvest heat waves. Conditions varied depending on location; some estates reported good quality across the board, while others complained of major crop losses.