2020 winemaking trials
Richard Fennessy, DPIRD, Bunbury
Unusually, all the DPIRD winemaking trials this season involve red varietals; the trials are all part of the Wine Australia Regional Program which consist of demonstrating the impact of clonal selection on Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Merlot and Shiraz, and water addition trials on Swan Valley Shiraz, Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Frankland River Shiraz. Further details on these trials are noted below.
Clonal trials
Initially five Pinot clones from a Pemberton vineyard were earmarked to be harvested this season but unfortunately four clones were harvested before we could access them leaving two clones which were harvested on 11 February.
| Clone | Baume | pH | TA (g/L) | Average berry size (g) |
| 115 | 11.8 | 3.17 | 9.0 | 1.1 |
| 777 | 12.6 | 3.23 | 7.5 | 1.1 |
The below six Tempranillo clones were harvested from a vineyard in the Geographe wine region picked on the same day, harvest details are tabled below.
| Clone | Baume | pH | TA (g/L) | Average berry size (g) |
| ITACyL32 | 14.2 | 3.58 | 4.88 | 1.6 |
| ITACyL98 | 14.3 | 3.66 | 4.65 | 1.9 |
| ITACyL261 | 14.5 | 3.68 | 4.20 | 1.8 |
| ITACyL306 | 14.6 | 3.73 | 4.65 | 2.0 |
| ITACyL326 | 14.3 | 3.65 | 4.60 | 1.7 |
| Requena | 14.1 | 3.67 | 4.50 | 1.8 |
A dry-grown vineyard in Margaret River with two clones of Merlot were harvest on the 13 March.
| Clone | Baume | pH | TA (g/L) | Average berry size (g) |
| D3V14 | 14.5 | 3.48 | 6.1 | 1.4 |
| 18 | 15.0 | 3.48 | 5.2 | 1.4 |
Four shiraz clones from a vineyard in the Frankland River sub-region have been harvested; Waldron and WA Selection were both picked on 26 February while 470 and 174 were picked on 4 and 10 March respectively.
| Clone | Baume | pH | TA (g/L) | Average berry size (g) |
| 174 | 14.2 | 3.53 | 4.88 | 1.0 |
| 470 | 14.2 | 3.36 | 6.15 | N/A |
| WA Selection | 14.7 | 3.47 | 6.9 | 0.9 |
| Waldron | 14.3 | 3.34 | 6.82 | 1.0 |
The objectives of the clonal trials are to improve producers’ knowledge of clonal diversity, identify those clones which may be preferential under WA conditions and to demonstrate the influence of clone on viticultural performance and wine quality.
Water addition trial
This trial involves Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon across a number of regions. Swan Valley Shiraz was picked from the same row at varying maturities, that being 13.9°Be, 14.5°Be and 16.0°Be. The first parcel of fruit represents the control and the fruit from the following two picks were divided into a control (no water addition), water addition and run-off and replace to the equivalent Baume of the first pick (13.9°Be). Similarly, a site in Margaret River with Cabernet Sauvignon and a site in Frankland River with Shiraz are undertaking the same treatments but have yet to have all the fruit picked.
The dilution trials aims to demonstrate to winemakers’ practical techniques to adjust high sugar red must through the permitted addition of water giving confidence on a practical technique that could be used in years of compressed vintages and heatwaves that produce riper than average fruit. Importantly this work focuses on specific varieties and provide an opportunity for WA winemakers to taste how these treatments impact regional wines.
For more information contact Richard Fennessy.