Post by sky on Nov 7, 2012 16:32:26 GMT 12
Some Central Otago vineyards lost as much as 50% of their crop after devastating frosts hit the region over the weekend.
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -5.5 degrees Celsius in some areas, rendering frost-fighting techniques next to useless.
“By mid to late December we will be able to crystallise the losses,” said Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey, “but the damages will run into the hundreds or possibly a thousand tonnes.”
Gibbston Valley and Central Otago viticulturist and consultant Timbo Morrison-Deaker described the damage as “particularly ugly” and the worst he could recall. “Gibbston as a sub-region looks 40% gone and Lowburn is about 25% gone. Those are significant figures.”
The severe weekend frosts follow a disastrous Northern Hemisphere season, reportedly the worst in 50 years, and had already led to predictions of a worldwide shortage of grapes, said Mr Morrison-Deaker.
The frost damage could also see a shortage of red wine varieties domestically in 18 months’ time.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cold-snap-devastates-vineyards-5197949
Temperatures plummeted to as low as -5.5 degrees Celsius in some areas, rendering frost-fighting techniques next to useless.
“By mid to late December we will be able to crystallise the losses,” said Central Otago Winegrowers Association president James Dicey, “but the damages will run into the hundreds or possibly a thousand tonnes.”
Gibbston Valley and Central Otago viticulturist and consultant Timbo Morrison-Deaker described the damage as “particularly ugly” and the worst he could recall. “Gibbston as a sub-region looks 40% gone and Lowburn is about 25% gone. Those are significant figures.”
The severe weekend frosts follow a disastrous Northern Hemisphere season, reportedly the worst in 50 years, and had already led to predictions of a worldwide shortage of grapes, said Mr Morrison-Deaker.
The frost damage could also see a shortage of red wine varieties domestically in 18 months’ time.
tvnz.co.nz/national-news/cold-snap-devastates-vineyards-5197949