Harvest was tops
2006-05-11
HEAT waves and power outages notwithstanding, the quality of both white and red wines from the 2006 vintage is extremely good this year, says Distell’s head of grape and wine buying, Ernst le Roux - especially Sauvignon Blanc is outstanding.
“This is the best year since 2002 for Sauvignon Blanc, now South Africa’s single most popular varietal.”
He adds that the vintage has proved favourable for the majority of the other varietals.
“Chardonnay benefited from the cold winter which allowed the vines to go into proper dormancy and our wines are showing extremely well.
“Reds have come in with excellent colour and flavours and should produce wines with great maturation potential. Shiraz is another absolutely stand-out varietal this year.”
Distell markets over 40% of South Africa’s wines and brandies.
Grapes are picked not only from its own vineyards in Stellenbosch, Simondium, Paarl, Darling and Gansbaai, but from a range of long-term supplier growers situated throughout the wine-growing regions.
Le Roux says excellent winter rainfalls and cooler than usual spring and early summer temperatures across the Western Cape, were followed by a generally dry summer and strong southeasterly winds.
“Although the winds proved dehydrating, most of our vineyards, even the dryland blocks, did not suffer the drought stress of 2005 because of the moderate climatic conditions and favourable soil/water levels at the beginning of the growing season.
“In fact, the summer winds actually had a positive effect of reducing grape size, resulting in excellent skin to berry ratios and giving rise to excellent concentration of flavours across both red and white varietals.”
While industry projections are that the total wine grape harvest this year will be about 6,5% higher than in 2005, the quantity of grapes pressed in Distell’s own cellars this year is on a par with 2005.
He stresses that the company has also not experienced any shortage of white wines.
“Talk of shortages has been mainly in respect of wines for distilled products.”
The current oversupply of red wines is being addressed, le Roux says.
“Excess reds are also being used to produce Rosé, as this category is showing one of the fastest growth trajectories in the local market, as well as the UK and the US. We are also distilling reds for spirits from high-yield vineyards.”
“But we must remember that supply and demand are cyclical in nature and the present situation will correct itself. We shall not be urging growers to uproot vineyards of red varietals, except where they are either unproductive or no longer producing to quality standards.”
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