Summary
Below average growing season rainfall, followed by a dry vintage with extended moderate ripening conditions made this a very good quality year, producing exceptionally stylish red wines. Considered to be a benchmark vintage of the 1990s and 2000s
In 1990 there were 5,630 hectares of vineyards in Barossa and 55,238 tonnes of wine grapes were crushed in that vintage.
Highlights
Environmental awareness became a key issue with the launch of the Decade of Landcare. In the vineyard, growers were encouraged to reduce cultivation to improve soil structure, introduce mulching for moisture retention and undertake soil surveys prior to planting. Soil and soil management along with irrigation scheduling became 1990 buzzwords.
The Label Integrity Program commenced with the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation undertaking winery audits, to provide guarantees of varietal and regional origin to wine consumers.
Commercial Leuconostoc yeast strains were introduced for malolactic fermentation.
A period of winery infrastructure expansion began with extensive introduction of stainless steel tanks and vinimatics for more efficient fermentation.
The Australian Wine Research Institute commenced work on colour and flavour analysis with the GG Assay of grapes and wine.
Philip Morris sold Lindemans to Adsteam, which already owned Penfolds and Wynns.
Wineries attempted to develop closer relationships with growers and grape contracts were introduced.
Peter Lehmann Wines won the 1990 Jimmy Watson Trophy for its 1989 Stonewell Shiraz. Douglas Lehmann was appointed Managing Director of Peter Lehmann Wines.
Honourboard
Vigneron of the Year – Cliff Lindner
Sources
SA Wine Grape Crush Survey, Vinehealth Australia and ‘Barossa Vintages: a wine history from 1842’, Peter Fuller
