harvest report 2010
Production
trends
The 2010 crop
amounted to 34 931 tons which is 20% less
than the 2009 crop. White cultivars were
most affected, namely Colombar, Chardonnay,
Muscadel and Muscat d’ Alexandrie
(Hanepoot). Cold and wet conditions during
the induction period in November 2008
impacted on this year’s crop. During the
first half of November 2008 three to five
days had maximum temperatures below 20°C.
This crucial stage was moreover adversely
affected by 50 to 70 mm rain and dense cloud
cover. More cold and wet weather conditions
during flowering (November 2009), combined
with downy mildew infections, also resulted
in a smaller crop.
Climate and
viticultural trends
The
post-harvest period was auspicious with
widespread rain in the second half of April
2009. Right from the start winter was colder
than usual and provided sufficient cold for
complete dormancy breaking. Winter and early
spring were exceptionally dry. Although
regular showers occurred, quantities were
never sufficient to fill the dams. At the
beginning of spring the water resources were
still insufficient and some producers had to
pump subterranean water for irrigation at a
high cost.
The warm
weather of the second half of winter
stimulated sap flow and bud burst in early
cultivars was 14 days earlier. The initial
warm weather was followed by cold weather,
which delayed further budding and growth.
Bud burst in late cultivars therefore
occurred at the usual time. Cold and wet
weather from mid-October – approximately 100
mm widespread rain during the second week of
October – to mid-November restricted growth
and caused weak berry set. Conditions
favoured downy mildew, a disease that hardly
occurs in this dry region, with some losses
in Chardonnay, Muscat d’ Alexandrie
(Hanepoot) and Muscadel. Apart from downy
mildew, there were no diseases worth
mentioning nor damage to grapes. Grape
quality was therefore exceptionally good.
The early part
of summer was very cool, with temperatures
warming in January but the dry weather
continued, bringing with it flocks of birds
threatening to eat the grapes due to the
lack of food. Cold and wet conditions
during the induction period in November 2008
had a significant impact on the crop. During
the first half of November 2008 there were 3
to 5 days with 4 maximum temperatures below
20°C. This critical stage was also
influenced by 50 to 70 mm rain and dense
cloud cover.
The changeable
weather conditions made it very difficult to
predict the time of harvest. Initially
everything was early with early bud burst,
then later with cold in October and
November, and then earlier with favourable
conditions in December and January.
Grape and
wine quality
The harvest
commenced at the usual time or slightly
later. Late cultivars ripened earlier due to
favourable weather conditions and a smaller
crop. Excellent quality grapes were
delivered until early March. The lion’s
share of the grapes had been crushed when
heat wave conditions struck from 28 February
to 8 March followed by rain from 7 to 12
March.
Almost all red
cultivars fared extremely well with grape
quality already visible in the vineyard.
There were no diseases which could impact on
wine quality. The decrease in volumes also
meant that cellar space was often not a
problem, and winemakers could allow
prolonged skin contact.
The harvest produced good overall quality
with exceptional red wines. Production cost
was high, however, and increased even
further as a result of the low yield, which
was detrimental to producers and also
increased cellar cost per ton.
harvest tonnage the past 5 years
|
2006 |
37 051 |
|
2007 |
47 348 |
|
2008 |
40 980 |
|
2009 |
43 660 |
|
2010 |
34 931 |
status of cultivars in 2009
(Numbered 1 - 10, 1 being the most widely
planted cultivar)
|
|
Cultivar |
Total hectares planted |
Used for |
|
1 |
Colombar |
859 |
Brandy; grape juice; white wine |
|
2 |
Chenin blanc |
568 |
Brandy; white wine |
|
3 |
Hanepoot |
229 |
Jerepigo |
|
4 |
Chardonnay |
223 |
White wine |
|
5 |
Shiraz |
132 |
Red wine |
|
6 |
Merlot |
120 |
Red wine |
|
7 |
Cabernet Sauvignon |
115 |
Red wine |
|
8 |
Sauvignon blanc |
107 |
White wine |
|
9 |
Ruby Cabernet |
100 |
Red wine blends |
|
10 |
Red Muscadel |
97 |
Jerepigo |
|
Total hectares planted - White
cultivars |
2 173 |
|
Total hectares planted – Red
cultivars |
731 |
|
Total hectares planted – White & Red
cultivars |
2 904 |
