The dry weather and reduced rain in winter of 2016 is unusual, and will reduce the harvest in the Swartland, says Zakkie Bester, CEO and cellar master of Riebeek Cellars. The quality of the grapes may however be higher, with more concentrated flavours.
Bester shared his concern about the impact of the weather: ‘It’s going to be challenging for the Swartland because of the very dry weather we had which was not normal. We are very nervous about that but it’s not the end of the world. The Swartland is known to have its ups and downs for many years but this is the first for a long time that its been so dry’. Whilst the Swartland is not an irrigated region, it has had enough additional water in the past. This is not the case this summer.
‘We are looking forward to more expressive Chenin Blanc and Shiraz. If it’s a dry season the berries are smaller and more concentrated. In a dry season the colour of red wines is so much better’. A lot of our vineyards are dry farmed, not as much as in the past but I would say easily 20% is still dry farmed and bush vineyards. The issue that we have with the labour is that people don’t want to bend down anymore and pick. They want to bring in the machines for the harvest‘, added Bester.
Source: The Drinks Business
Chris von Ulmenstein, WhaleTales Blog: www.whalecottage.com/blog Tel 082 55 11 323 Twitter:@WhaleCottage Facebook: click here
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