Predictions of a vintage crop for Aussie wines

Winemakers in the Hunter Valley are cautiously optimistic about what could be one of the best vintages in years, especially for whites. Thanks to last month’s heavy rainfall, winemakers say conditions have been perfect for an outstanding vintage — but only if it doesn’t rain much before harvest, reports The Daily Telegraph. “As it turns out we’ve had particularly cool ripening weather,” Hunter Valley Wine Industry Association president Andrew Margan said. “It was the coldest December in Cessnock on record.”