PROSPECT2005

VOORUITZICHTEN WIJNEN 2006:

Globaal per land
met getuigenissen

PROSPECT 2006:

BONUM EXPECTANS...

PROSPECTS FOR WINES HARVESTED IN 2006:

Global per country
with direct witnesses

Wat te verwachten van wijnen geoogst in 2006?

Wordt Bordeaux 2006 groot of gewoon? En wat voor kwaliteit biedt Zuid-Afrika? Deze en andere veel gestelde vragen kan je uiteindelijk maar met veel voorzichtigheid beantwoorden. We neusden rond bij grote (Parker, Wine Spectator) en vele kleine internetbronnen, en komen tot volgende conclusies. Caveat: wijnen uit het zuidelijk halfrond hebben een half jaar voorsprong op deze uit het Noorden!

Maps taken and enhanced from OZ Clarke's first MS Wineguide 1995 (no longer available)

What to expect from wines harvested in 2005?

Many a prospective winelover has this question, yet it can only be answered with prudence. To prospect is to prognosticate on a first uncertain basis: the quality of grapes harvested, of the fermenting must and of the virgin new wine.
As in Google, we can make a "good guess", doing so after surfing around big and small websites around the world.

AUSTRALIË

Algemeen oordeel: "the message is practically the same as last year all across the country; the overall quality of vintage 2006 is top shelf and a vintage to watch" We mogen dus heel wat moois verwachten uit het land der tegenvoeters. Toch enige restricties: terwijl New South Wales en Victoria goede vooruitzichten hebben (vooral in wit), is er enige bezorgdheid over South Australia wegens onstabiel oogstweer. Te onthouden namen: vooral de Rieslings van Rolf Binder, Kilkanoon, Koonowla en Richard Hamilton en de Syrah van Penfolds, Leeuwin Estate en Lindemans

AUSTRALIA

General message read almost erveywhere: the overall quality of vintage 2006 is as good as 2005 - which means top shelf and a vintage to watch"

We can expect beautiful Chardonnays, Syrahs and - yes - Rieslings. There are a few restrictions: New South Wales and Victoria seem to be better in whites than in reds, and there is some concern about South Australia where harvest weather was instable. Names to be remembered: Syrah and Rieslings from Rolf Binder, Kilkanoon, Koonowla en Richard Hamilton, Penfolds, Lindemans and, as always, Leeuwin Estate

OOSTENRIJK

WineSpectator (WS) dat het jaar globaal (maar) een B geeft, maar dan Kracher citeert: "Quality seems to be very exciting, with a high acidity and good structure. In sweet wine, 2005 might become a great year with extraordinary maturation potential," said Alois Kracher, who specializes in dessert wines from Neusiedlersee"
Elders hoorden we dat Wachau Rieslngs veelbelovend zijn. Te onthouden namen: Opitz, Franz Hirzberger, Pichler

AUSTRIA

Wine Spectator (WS) gives a mere B for the vintage, yet quotes famous Alois Kracher: "Quality seems to be very exciting, with a high acidity and good structure. In sweet wine, 2005 might become a great year with extraordinary maturation potential," said Alois Kracher, who specializes in dessert wines from Neusiedlersee"
Elswhere, we read that Wachau Rielsings are a geat promise. Names to remember: Opitz, Franz Hirzberger, Pichler

FRANRKIJK

Alle klanken die we hoorden, van Elzas tot Languedoc, inclusief Bourgogne, Loire, Rhône en Bordaux zijn positief tot bijna extatisch. J.Ph. Jannoueix zei dat hij in zijn 20-jarige ervaring met Pomerol, St. Emilion en Moulis "nog nooit zo'n schitterende oogst had gekend". Toch is er enig voorbehoud voor Languedoc, en met name de oostkant boven en rond Montpellier, waar regen en overstromingen lelijk huis hebben gehouden. Maar de andere streken lijken op uitstekende resultaten af te stevenen. Champagneliefhebbers mogen zich, volgens zowel Duval-Leroy als Vincent Fresnet aan een "groot millésimejaar" verwachten. En ook in minder bekende streken als de Drôme, Coteaux de Provence, Fronton, Bugey, Jurançon wordt het ++

FRANCE

All messages - many of them personal - from North to Deep South are very positive. J. Ph. Jannoueix of St. Emilion told us he has "never seen such magnificent harvest in 20 years" There is some restriction for Languedoc, especially the area North and East of Montpellier, where heavy rains caused inundations adn destroyed complete harvests. Yet, the other Midi regions seem to be in for very good wines, both white and red.
As to Champagne, we heard from both Duval-Leroy and Vincent Fresnet that a "great millésime vintage" is in the making. Also some of the barely known (sub)regions from Provence (Cotignac), Fronton, Bugey and Jurançon are expecting great wines.

DUITSLAND

"Tot half augustus hielden we in de Nahe en aan de Rijn de adem in: warme droogte als nooit te voren, stress op de wijngaard. Maar dan kwam de gutsende zomerregen - een zegen. En dan 6 weken lang mooi droog weer! Dit jaar haalden we mostgewichten als nooit te voren" dixit Christoph Kolling, onze vanouds bekende wijnboer uit Sommerloch. Zijn oordeel wordt bevestigd door o.m. Riesling.de, bekende website, en door WS (kent een A toe). En wat sommigen zeker zal interesseren: Beeren- en Trockenbeerenauslese zal er van Moezel tot Rheingau "in Vielfalt" zijn. Ook Martin Kerpen uit Wehlen/Moezel zei ons dat 2005 heel bijzonder wordt, "een soort synthese tussen 2003 en 2004" Daarnaast toch de treurnis vermelden die in een gedeelte van het Ahrgebied (oostelijk van Bad Neuenahr) heerst: hagel en stormwind hebben veel verwoestingen aangericht. En ook dit nog: de opbrengsthoeveelheid zal 20 à 30% lager liggen dan in "normale" jaren.Te onthouden namen: Dönhoff, Löwenstein, dr. Weiss, Franzen, Kerpen

GERMANY

"Up until mid August, we held our breath here in the Nahe and the Rheingau: very dry hot weather and stress on the grapes. But then summer rain came, for 2 days, followed by 6 dry weeks. That was a blessing. We had must weight that we have never seen. " dixit Christoph Kolling in Sommerloch (Nahe). His judgement is confirmed by the famous riesling.de website, and by WS who score an A. And lovers of fruity-sour sweet do rejoice: Beeren- and Trockenbeeren Auslese have been harvested in large quantity and are 'outstanding'

Martin Kerpen of Wehlen/Mosel had a similar message: "2005 will be wonderful, a synthesis of 2003 and 2004!"
Yet, production is down 20 to 30%.
Names to keep in mind: Dönhoff, Löwenstein, Dr. Weiss, Franzen, Kerpen

ITALIË

Tegenstrijdige berichten hier. WS, dat het jaar een magere B geeft, zegt "Producers throughout the Italian peninsula faced a difficult harvest in 2005. Wet, autumnal weather settled over many regions from the middle of August onward, accompanied by some punishing downpours and hailstorms, especially in the north. The constantly damp conditions opened the way for botrytis and other mold, which severely reduced the quality of the crop.” Anderzijds nuanceert de h. Coltarella, voorzitter van het Italiaans Wijninstituut: "The whites from Alto Adige down to Sicily look like they will be excellent, as the grapes were harvested before the real rain started" In elk geval: geen hoge verwachtingen voor Italiaans rood

ITALY

Here, we get diverging comments. WS comes with a meagre B, and says: "Producers throughout the Italian peninsula faced a difficult harvest in 2005. Wet, autumnal weather settled over many regions from the middle of August onward, accompanied by some punishing downpours and hailstorms, especially in the north. The constantly damp conditions opened the way for botrytis and other mold, which severely reduced the quality of the crop. "

Mr. Coltarella, President of the Italian Wine Institute brings a nuance: "The whites from Alto Adige down to Sicily look like they will be excellent, as the grapes were harvested before the real rain started "

Anyway, 2005 will not be a "great read year"

NIEUW ZEELAND

Meer nog dan in Australië horen we hier heel positieve geluiden, zowel voor wit (alle soorten) als voor rood (in het bijzonder Pinot Noir). Philip MacGregan, voorzitter van de wijnbouwersfederatie, zegt: "The 2004/05 summer began unsettled and unusually cool, but from early January onwards growing conditions were ideal, producing high quality grapes through nearly all winegrowing regions. The Indian Summer during the main harvest month of April was a great finish to the ripening season" In het bijzonder Marlborough en Hawkes Bay wordent geroemd. Namen om te onthouden:Saint Clair, Mount Nelson, Selaks en Sherwood

NEW ZEALAND

The bells of joy are ringing here, even more strongly than in Australia. And that concerns both red (especially Pinot Noir) and white (all cepages). Philip MacGregan of the NZ winemakers federation states:"The 2004/05 summer began unsettled and unusually cool, but from early January onwards growing conditions were ideal, producing high quality grapes through nearly all winegrowing regions. The Indian Summer during the main harvest month of April was a great finish to the ripening season "
Especially Marlborough and Hawkes Bay are praised. Names to look for: Saint Clair, Mount Nelson, Selaks and Sherwood

ZUID-AFRIKA

Het "harvest report" van de nationale wijnbouwersunie zegt: " Despite a serious drought, unpredictable weather and lower volumes than last year, the 2005 national wine-grape harvest was superb. Winemakers in all 10 regions agree that this was a record harvest - in terms of quality, not quantity. "

Wel zijn het twee opeenvolgende kurkdroge jaren geweest, zoals ook Johan Malan van Simonsig ons berichtte: vooral voor witte wijnen (Sauvignon of Steen) dreigt een tekort. Pinotage daarentegen wordt als zeer goed aanzien. Namen: Morgenhof, Kluver, Vergelegen, Simonsig, Villiera, KWV,Kanonkop, Simonsig

SOUTH AFRICA

The yearly Harvest Report of the winemakers union has this to say: "Despite a serious drought, unpredictable weather and lower volumes than last year, the 2005 national wine-grape harvest was superb. Winemakers in all 10 regions agree that this was a record harvest - in terms of quality, not quantity. "

Yet, South Africa has witnesses two cork dry summers - as we heard also from Johan Malan of Simonsig: there will be a shortage, especially in the white sector (Sauvignon above all). Pinotage, on the other hand, looks very promising. Look for Morgenhof, Kluver, Vergelegen, Simonsig, Villiera, KWV,Kanonkop,Simonsig

CHILI en ARGENTINIË

In beide landen heeft men het over een "goede tot zeer goede oogst", in Chili vooral voor Carmenere en Chardonnay, in Argentinië voor Torrontes en Malbec. De Associatie van landbouwingenieurs van Chili rapporteert: "Expectations regarding red wines for this season are very auspicious throughout the country, given that ripeness has advanced gradually, with a very good balance between sugar content and phenolic ripeness. Round tannins are expected, with wines of good color and adequate fruit".

Dit is allicht geen onbevooroordeelde bron, maar de wijnconsulent van Delhaize bevestigde ons dit. Ook uit Argentinië, al was daar sprake van een zekere vertraging, komen heel positieve berichten. "Beter dan 2004, zo zegt men daar, en vergelijkbaar met 2002, wat zeer goed was"
Namen om te onthouden
* Argentina: Catena, Hormigos, Norton, Zuccardi,Pulenta,Canale
*Chili: De Aguirre, Carmen, Montgras, Errazuri, Lapostolle, Los Robles, De Martino

CHILE AND ARGENTINA

"A good to excellent harvest" is what we hear in both countries: in Chile Carmener and Chardonnay are doing very well, and the same holds for Torrontes and Malbec in and around Mendoza. The agronomists' union of Chile states: "Expectations regarding red wines for this season are very auspicious throughout the country, given that ripeness has advanced gradually, with a very good balance between sugar content and phenolic ripeness. Round tannins are expected, with wines of good color and adequate fruit "

In Argentina, where harvests came two weeks later than normal - as was the case in some parts of Chile - we hear positive news: "Better than 2004, and comparable to 2002, which was excellent " Names to look out for:
* Argentina: Catena, Hormigos, Norton, Zuccardi, Pulenta, Canale
* Chile: De Aguirre, Carmen, Montgras, Errazuri, Lapostolle, Los Robles, Martino

SPANJE EN PORTUGAL

Ook hier : zeer gezonde druiven,hoge mostgewichten.

Torres in Penedes liet weten "de beste oogst van de laatste 25 jaar te hebben binnengehaald". Maar: opbrengst ligt 25 à 30% lager. En hoor de jubelklank uit Rioja: "Telmo Rodriguez, whose label comprises a range of wines from different appellations around Spain, predicted that 2005 will produce "the best wines ever seen from the region."
En ook Portugal kende zeer grote droogte (bosbranden!)" « Despite the stress of the drought, the vines were healthy. Four days of steady rain in September also helped to perk them up before harvest, said Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, a maker of both table wines and Ports " Toch geeft WS maar B+
Namen: zie onze databank

SPAIN AND PORTUGAL

Here, as in France, the wineworld rejoices: very healthy ripe grapes all over. Torres of Penedes talks about "the best harvest of the last 25 years". BUT: production levels ared down 25 to 30%. Even more jubilant is the Rioja region:" Telmo Rodriguez, whose label comprises a range of wines from different appellations around Spain, predicted that 2005 will produce "the best wines ever seen from the region." Portugal knew an even more dry and hot summer (think of the wodd fires!). But autumn rains helped:"Despite the stress of the drought, the vines were healthy. Four days of steady rain in September also helped to perk them up before harvest, said Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, a maker of both table wines and Ports " Yet, WS only gives a B+ score.

Names: see our database

USA (California,Oregon,Washington)

California (West Coast, Sonoma, Nappa) krijgen een A tot A+. Toch was het een moeilijk jaar, dat toch vrij goed eindigde:"From the soggy beginning to the cliff-hanger ending, 2005 tested the nerves of even the most seasoned veteran in Sonoma County. Despite the challenges, the crop was one of the largest on record, and quality appears good."

In Oregon (B+) klinkt een ander geluid:" Oregon experienced what winemakers are calling a classically styled vintage for the state "

Washington State kende een zeer droge warme zomer, daarna een koelere herfst. Hier verwacht men "a very good year for the whites, especially Chardonnay and Riesling, and a good year for the reds"

USA
(California,Oregon,Washington)

The best harvest results were obtained in California: West Coast, Sonoma and Nappa get an A to A+ score. However, this was a difficult year, with a more or less happy end:" From the soggy beginning to the cliff-hanger ending, 2005 tested the nerves of even the most seasoned veteran in Sonoma County. Despite the challenges, the crop was one of the largest on record, and quality appears good."
In Oregon (WS: B+) we hear another message: "Oregon experienced what winemakers are calling a classically styled vintage for the state " Up to the North, Washington knew a dry hot summer and a fairly cold autumn: "a very good year for the whites, especially Chardonnay and Riesling, and a good year for the reds "

VOORUITZICHTEN WIJNEN 2006: Globaal per land met getuigenissen	PROSPECT 2006: BONUM EXPECTANS...	PROSPECTS FOR WINES HARVESTED IN 2006: Global per country with direct witnesses
Wat te verwachten van wijnen geoogst in 2006? Wordt Bordeaux 2006 groot of gewoon? En wat voor kwaliteit biedt Zuid-Afrika? Deze en andere veel gestelde vragen kan je uiteindelijk maar met veel voorzichtigheid beantwoorden. We neusden rond bij grote (Parker, Wine Spectator) en vele kleine internetbronnen, en komen tot volgende conclusies. Caveat: wijnen uit het zuidelijk halfrond hebben een half jaar voorsprong op deze uit het Noorden!	Maps taken and enhanced from OZ Clarke's first MS Wineguide 1995 (no longer available)	What to expect from wines harvested in 2005? Many a prospective winelover has this question, yet it can only be answered with prudence. To prospect is to prognosticate on a first uncertain basis: the quality of grapes harvested, of the fermenting must and of the virgin new wine. As in Google, we can make a "good guess", doing so after surfing around big and small websites around the world.
AUSTRALIË Algemeen oordeel: "the message is practically the same as last year all across the country; the overall quality of vintage 2006 is top shelf and a vintage to watch" We mogen dus heel wat moois verwachten uit het land der tegenvoeters. Toch enige restricties: terwijl New South Wales en Victoria goede vooruitzichten hebben (vooral in wit), is er enige bezorgdheid over South Australia wegens onstabiel oogstweer. Te onthouden namen: vooral de Rieslings van Rolf Binder, Kilkanoon, Koonowla en Richard Hamilton en de Syrah van Penfolds, Leeuwin Estate en Lindemans		AUSTRALIA General message read almost erveywhere: the overall quality of vintage 2006 is as good as 2005 - which means top shelf and a vintage to watch" We can expect beautiful Chardonnays, Syrahs and - yes - Rieslings. There are a few restrictions: New South Wales and Victoria seem to be better in whites than in reds, and there is some concern about South Australia where harvest weather was instable. Names to be remembered: Syrah and Rieslings from Rolf Binder, Kilkanoon, Koonowla en Richard Hamilton, Penfolds, Lindemans and, as always, Leeuwin Estate
OOSTENRIJK WineSpectator (WS) dat het jaar globaal (maar) een B geeft, maar dan Kracher citeert: "Quality seems to be very exciting, with a high acidity and good structure. In sweet wine, 2005 might become a great year with extraordinary maturation potential," said Alois Kracher, who specializes in dessert wines from Neusiedlersee" Elders hoorden we dat Wachau Rieslngs veelbelovend zijn. Te onthouden namen: Opitz, Franz Hirzberger, Pichler		AUSTRIA Wine Spectator (WS) gives a mere B for the vintage, yet quotes famous Alois Kracher: "Quality seems to be very exciting, with a high acidity and good structure. In sweet wine, 2005 might become a great year with extraordinary maturation potential," said Alois Kracher, who specializes in dessert wines from Neusiedlersee" Elswhere, we read that Wachau Rielsings are a geat promise. Names to remember: Opitz, Franz Hirzberger, Pichler
FRANRKIJK Alle klanken die we hoorden, van Elzas tot Languedoc, inclusief Bourgogne, Loire, Rhône en Bordaux zijn positief tot bijna extatisch. J.Ph. Jannoueix zei dat hij in zijn 20-jarige ervaring met Pomerol, St. Emilion en Moulis "nog nooit zo'n schitterende oogst had gekend". Toch is er enig voorbehoud voor Languedoc, en met name de oostkant boven en rond Montpellier, waar regen en overstromingen lelijk huis hebben gehouden. Maar de andere streken lijken op uitstekende resultaten af te stevenen. Champagneliefhebbers mogen zich, volgens zowel Duval-Leroy als Vincent Fresnet aan een "groot millésimejaar" verwachten. En ook in minder bekende streken als de Drôme, Coteaux de Provence, Fronton, Bugey, Jurançon wordt het ++		FRANCE All messages - many of them personal - from North to Deep South are very positive. J. Ph. Jannoueix of St. Emilion told us he has "never seen such magnificent harvest in 20 years" There is some restriction for Languedoc, especially the area North and East of Montpellier, where heavy rains caused inundations adn destroyed complete harvests. Yet, the other Midi regions seem to be in for very good wines, both white and red. As to Champagne, we heard from both Duval-Leroy and Vincent Fresnet that a "great millésime vintage" is in the making. Also some of the barely known (sub)regions from Provence (Cotignac), Fronton, Bugey and Jurançon are expecting great wines.
DUITSLAND "Tot half augustus hielden we in de Nahe en aan de Rijn de adem in: warme droogte als nooit te voren, stress op de wijngaard. Maar dan kwam de gutsende zomerregen - een zegen. En dan 6 weken lang mooi droog weer! Dit jaar haalden we mostgewichten als nooit te voren" dixit Christoph Kolling, onze vanouds bekende wijnboer uit Sommerloch. Zijn oordeel wordt bevestigd door o.m. Riesling.de, bekende website, en door WS (kent een A toe). En wat sommigen zeker zal interesseren: Beeren- en Trockenbeerenauslese zal er van Moezel tot Rheingau "in Vielfalt" zijn. Ook Martin Kerpen uit Wehlen/Moezel zei ons dat 2005 heel bijzonder wordt, "een soort synthese tussen 2003 en 2004" Daarnaast toch de treurnis vermelden die in een gedeelte van het Ahrgebied (oostelijk van Bad Neuenahr) heerst: hagel en stormwind hebben veel verwoestingen aangericht. En ook dit nog: de opbrengsthoeveelheid zal 20 à 30% lager liggen dan in "normale" jaren.Te onthouden namen: Dönhoff, Löwenstein, dr. Weiss, Franzen, Kerpen		GERMANY "Up until mid August, we held our breath here in the Nahe and the Rheingau: very dry hot weather and stress on the grapes. But then summer rain came, for 2 days, followed by 6 dry weeks. That was a blessing. We had must weight that we have never seen. " dixit Christoph Kolling in Sommerloch (Nahe). His judgement is confirmed by the famous riesling.de website, and by WS who score an A. And lovers of fruity-sour sweet do rejoice: Beeren- and Trockenbeeren Auslese have been harvested in large quantity and are 'outstanding' Martin Kerpen of Wehlen/Mosel had a similar message: "2005 will be wonderful, a synthesis of 2003 and 2004!" Yet, production is down 20 to 30%. Names to keep in mind: Dönhoff, Löwenstein, Dr. Weiss, Franzen, Kerpen
ITALIË Tegenstrijdige berichten hier. WS, dat het jaar een magere B geeft, zegt "Producers throughout the Italian peninsula faced a difficult harvest in 2005. Wet, autumnal weather settled over many regions from the middle of August onward, accompanied by some punishing downpours and hailstorms, especially in the north. The constantly damp conditions opened the way for botrytis and other mold, which severely reduced the quality of the crop.” Anderzijds nuanceert de h. Coltarella, voorzitter van het Italiaans Wijninstituut: "The whites from Alto Adige down to Sicily look like they will be excellent, as the grapes were harvested before the real rain started" In elk geval: geen hoge verwachtingen voor Italiaans rood		ITALY Here, we get diverging comments. WS comes with a meagre B, and says: "Producers throughout the Italian peninsula faced a difficult harvest in 2005. Wet, autumnal weather settled over many regions from the middle of August onward, accompanied by some punishing downpours and hailstorms, especially in the north. The constantly damp conditions opened the way for botrytis and other mold, which severely reduced the quality of the crop. " Mr. Coltarella, President of the Italian Wine Institute brings a nuance: "The whites from Alto Adige down to Sicily look like they will be excellent, as the grapes were harvested before the real rain started " Anyway, 2005 will not be a "great read year"
NIEUW ZEELAND Meer nog dan in Australië horen we hier heel positieve geluiden, zowel voor wit (alle soorten) als voor rood (in het bijzonder Pinot Noir). Philip MacGregan, voorzitter van de wijnbouwersfederatie, zegt: "The 2004/05 summer began unsettled and unusually cool, but from early January onwards growing conditions were ideal, producing high quality grapes through nearly all winegrowing regions. The Indian Summer during the main harvest month of April was a great finish to the ripening season" In het bijzonder Marlborough en Hawkes Bay wordent geroemd. Namen om te onthouden:Saint Clair, Mount Nelson, Selaks en Sherwood		NEW ZEALAND The bells of joy are ringing here, even more strongly than in Australia. And that concerns both red (especially Pinot Noir) and white (all cepages). Philip MacGregan of the NZ winemakers federation states:"The 2004/05 summer began unsettled and unusually cool, but from early January onwards growing conditions were ideal, producing high quality grapes through nearly all winegrowing regions. The Indian Summer during the main harvest month of April was a great finish to the ripening season " Especially Marlborough and Hawkes Bay are praised. Names to look for: Saint Clair, Mount Nelson, Selaks and Sherwood
ZUID-AFRIKA Het "harvest report" van de nationale wijnbouwersunie zegt: " Despite a serious drought, unpredictable weather and lower volumes than last year, the 2005 national wine-grape harvest was superb. Winemakers in all 10 regions agree that this was a record harvest - in terms of quality, not quantity. " Wel zijn het twee opeenvolgende kurkdroge jaren geweest, zoals ook Johan Malan van Simonsig ons berichtte: vooral voor witte wijnen (Sauvignon of Steen) dreigt een tekort. Pinotage daarentegen wordt als zeer goed aanzien. Namen: Morgenhof, Kluver, Vergelegen, Simonsig, Villiera, KWV,Kanonkop, Simonsig		SOUTH AFRICA The yearly Harvest Report of the winemakers union has this to say: "Despite a serious drought, unpredictable weather and lower volumes than last year, the 2005 national wine-grape harvest was superb. Winemakers in all 10 regions agree that this was a record harvest - in terms of quality, not quantity. " Yet, South Africa has witnesses two cork dry summers - as we heard also from Johan Malan of Simonsig: there will be a shortage, especially in the white sector (Sauvignon above all). Pinotage, on the other hand, looks very promising. Look for Morgenhof, Kluver, Vergelegen, Simonsig, Villiera, KWV,Kanonkop,Simonsig
CHILI en ARGENTINIË In beide landen heeft men het over een "goede tot zeer goede oogst", in Chili vooral voor Carmenere en Chardonnay, in Argentinië voor Torrontes en Malbec. De Associatie van landbouwingenieurs van Chili rapporteert: "Expectations regarding red wines for this season are very auspicious throughout the country, given that ripeness has advanced gradually, with a very good balance between sugar content and phenolic ripeness. Round tannins are expected, with wines of good color and adequate fruit". Dit is allicht geen onbevooroordeelde bron, maar de wijnconsulent van Delhaize bevestigde ons dit. Ook uit Argentinië, al was daar sprake van een zekere vertraging, komen heel positieve berichten. "Beter dan 2004, zo zegt men daar, en vergelijkbaar met 2002, wat zeer goed was" Namen om te onthouden * Argentina: Catena, Hormigos, Norton, Zuccardi,Pulenta,Canale *Chili: De Aguirre, Carmen, Montgras, Errazuri, Lapostolle, Los Robles, De Martino		CHILE AND ARGENTINA "A good to excellent harvest" is what we hear in both countries: in Chile Carmener and Chardonnay are doing very well, and the same holds for Torrontes and Malbec in and around Mendoza. The agronomists' union of Chile states: "Expectations regarding red wines for this season are very auspicious throughout the country, given that ripeness has advanced gradually, with a very good balance between sugar content and phenolic ripeness. Round tannins are expected, with wines of good color and adequate fruit " In Argentina, where harvests came two weeks later than normal - as was the case in some parts of Chile - we hear positive news: "Better than 2004, and comparable to 2002, which was excellent " Names to look out for: * Argentina: Catena, Hormigos, Norton, Zuccardi, Pulenta, Canale * Chile: De Aguirre, Carmen, Montgras, Errazuri, Lapostolle, Los Robles, Martino
SPANJE EN PORTUGAL Ook hier : zeer gezonde druiven,hoge mostgewichten. Torres in Penedes liet weten "de beste oogst van de laatste 25 jaar te hebben binnengehaald". Maar: opbrengst ligt 25 à 30% lager. En hoor de jubelklank uit Rioja: "Telmo Rodriguez, whose label comprises a range of wines from different appellations around Spain, predicted that 2005 will produce "the best wines ever seen from the region." En ook Portugal kende zeer grote droogte (bosbranden!)" « Despite the stress of the drought, the vines were healthy. Four days of steady rain in September also helped to perk them up before harvest, said Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, a maker of both table wines and Ports " Toch geeft WS maar B+ Namen: zie onze databank		SPAIN AND PORTUGAL Here, as in France, the wineworld rejoices: very healthy ripe grapes all over. Torres of Penedes talks about "the best harvest of the last 25 years". BUT: production levels ared down 25 to 30%. Even more jubilant is the Rioja region:" Telmo Rodriguez, whose label comprises a range of wines from different appellations around Spain, predicted that 2005 will produce "the best wines ever seen from the region." Portugal knew an even more dry and hot summer (think of the wodd fires!). But autumn rains helped:"Despite the stress of the drought, the vines were healthy. Four days of steady rain in September also helped to perk them up before harvest, said Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, a maker of both table wines and Ports " Yet, WS only gives a B+ score. Names: see our database
USA (California,Oregon,Washington) California (West Coast, Sonoma, Nappa) krijgen een A tot A+. Toch was het een moeilijk jaar, dat toch vrij goed eindigde:"From the soggy beginning to the cliff-hanger ending, 2005 tested the nerves of even the most seasoned veteran in Sonoma County. Despite the challenges, the crop was one of the largest on record, and quality appears good." In Oregon (B+) klinkt een ander geluid:" Oregon experienced what winemakers are calling a classically styled vintage for the state " Washington State kende een zeer droge warme zomer, daarna een koelere herfst. Hier verwacht men "a very good year for the whites, especially Chardonnay and Riesling, and a good year for the reds"		USA (California,Oregon,Washington) The best harvest results were obtained in California: West Coast, Sonoma and Nappa get an A to A+ score. However, this was a difficult year, with a more or less happy end:" From the soggy beginning to the cliff-hanger ending, 2005 tested the nerves of even the most seasoned veteran in Sonoma County. Despite the challenges, the crop was one of the largest on record, and quality appears good." In Oregon (WS: B+) we hear another message: "Oregon experienced what winemakers are calling a classically styled vintage for the state " Up to the North, Washington knew a dry hot summer and a fairly cold autumn: "a very good year for the whites, especially Chardonnay and Riesling, and a good year for the reds "