The 2003 vintage in NZ – the official version

I know how many of you are extremely keen on New Zealand wines so thought you might like the following supplement to the brief overview of the 2003 vintage down under from Sam Harrop. This is the version released by Wines of New Zealand.

Vintage 2003: Low yields dominate

New Zealand Winegrowers estimates grape growers and winemakers harvested 76,400 tonnes of grapes in 2003, 42,300 tonnes or 35 per cent down on the previous year.

The figure, from the annual Vintage Survey, is slightly above the mid-harvest estimate released by New Zealand Winegrowers, but is still well down on original...