Volume 74 Item 05: Sir William Macarthur memoranda regarding vintage, 1848: No. 04

[Page 4]

1848

Memoranda respecting Vintage

Spring of 1847 ha been very dry crop of Gouais, & eyras Riesling & is considerably injured by late frosts. The Gouais in particular - The muscats also by early dry weather - From the early part of December the weather has been more favorable showers not unfigured. 

31st Decr & 2nd Jany - days of excessive heat thermometer 114º & 118º respectively some damage done - The weather subsequently cooler much than average of years with showers more or less nearly every week grapes reformed fast during February although backward at the beginning of the year - By the end of the month forwarder than usual - To prevent loss from decay and risk of a bad formentation it is considered advisable to commence gathering by the end of Feby - At this time the Tokays are quite ripe & as well as the Gouais & Riesling are commencing to decay outside but without moulding. Reneau gris & verdelho also ripe - Commenced the gathering on Tuesday 29th Feby - The Tokays 295/3 & 56/2 and Reneau gris being first taken as being most likely to be injured by delay.

Wednesday 8th March - The grapes have been in fine order hitherto, but forment of room & brands it is expedient to suspend the gathering for two days.

Thursday 9th commenced raining from S.S.E. with strong wind - Light rain a [indecipherable] & in [indecipherable] night - bu day light on Friday morg commenced heavily in thunderous showers from E & N E which continud with intervals until after midnight on the 10th when it held off & afterwards only rained in light showers - These ceased altogether on Saty evening - a small flood at its highest on Saty at 3 a.n. - it fell rapidly.

Sunday 12th - Many of remaining bunches of verdelho and of scyvas beginning to decay but not injured natuarly as yet - mean to gather with all hands early on Monday -