The Auswine Forum

Jeremy,
Thanks for your reply - didn't take any offence about quality.
Take out the word 'good' from your last post. All Grenache from the Barossa will be great this year, it's just there will be bugger-all!
It was one of those quirks of nature. Basically most of Barossa's Grenache had a rest this year (especially because they are almost entirely dry-grown), so
the starch that would have gone into producing grape sugars, would have been stored in the trunk for a good bud-burst/bud-fruitfulness next year.
So hear's hoping for no heatwaves late this year/early Jan '11, because next years crop has already been formed, and it should be bountiful.
Work with nature, and she'll always be on your side!

Regarding Grenache crops and heat, the difference could be quite stark. We have two patches of Grenache one planted east/west the other north/south. One was extremely sparse almost to the point of not being viable to pick and the other carried a good crop, all due to the timing of flowering and heat. The quality of the grapes from both blocks was exceptional. Interestingly Tempranillo was also affected, less interesting so was Chardy.

Cheers