The Auswine Forum

The Pirie Hypothesis
How can you tell if its going to be a great vintage? Well there is no foolproof way. But Andrew Pirie, who earned Australia's first PhD in viticulture in the 1970s when he conducted studies throughout Australia that led to his identification of Pipers Brook as a suitable vineyard site, has an idea from those old days as a student. "It was to do with how much sugar got into the berry each day just after colour change," he says, referring to veraison, the period when the grape begins to ripen. "I still haven't come up with a better idea than that, because that is the critical period when the berry's machinery is fed by sugar from the leaves and the machinery is only in operation for a couple of weeks. "If you were able to plot that, you would probably find that it did help to describe what made a great vintage."

The comments are from a piece by Jeni Port in The Age, Feb 1st, 2005. She also provides a list of great years back to the 1940s as well as Great Wines, for those interested. MORE->

Mike

This article really has me wondering if Jeni Port has any idea at all.

1974 a good year in Australia 1974 is possible one of the worst years world wide. Some good things in the US apparently and the Huntington Cab Sav was meant to pretty good. With a winemaker friend having 1974 as his birth year a group of friends have been on the look out for something of note from that year.

There was no mention of 1955 and 1966 - I was under the impression that SA didn't get any better than this - Grange from both these years has an excellent reputation. 55 Hardys Tintara Cabernet was one of the most memorable wines I've had the priviledge try. As for 66 the list would go on.

David

DJ wrote:This article really has me wondering if Jeni Port has any idea at all.

1974 a good year in Australia 1974 is possible one of the worst years world wide. Some good things in the US apparently and the Huntington Cab Sav was meant to pretty good. With a winemaker friend having 1974 as his birth year a group of friends have been on the look out for something of note from that year.

1974 was one of the all-time great vintages in California. The 74 Heitz Martha's Vineyard is the US's 71 Grange. Mondavi Reserve, Beaulieu - these wines in good condition should reward you friend (disclaimer - I've never tasted any of them, but Broadbent raves, and I think that's a good sign).

cheers,
Graeme