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The harvest has
begun in the Carneros for sparkling (Pinot Noir) wine production
and some Sauvignon Blanc in Lodi.
Our June visit
revealed that the crop set in all regions that
PrestonWine.ca sources
grapes looks promising. Weather has been steadily good with no spring
rains to hamper things as in 2006. Crop levels are average to above
average. Ann Sturges of
Triboro Fruit has dropped some crop to increase quality where
warranted.
Some Napa
Valley producers are claiming that this could be a very exceptional
year if the current weather pattern holds. We will wait until December
to make our observation rather than prediction, but I must admit that
things are looking terrific right now.
Grapes will be
earlier this year. The current scenario goes like this: Classico
and Triboro will be picking the last week of August. Trucks
should arrive at Preston a day or two following Labour
Day. Lodi grapes should begin the harvest the first week of
September and be in full swing by the second week. Peter Brehm
will post his harvest dates on his website but expect his fruit to also
be earlier this year. We are looking at a first week of January 2008
arrival for
Brehm frozen musts and juices.
Given the
harvest schedule, we will have to cut off orders for fresh grapes and
juices much earlier than in the past, therefore decisions are going to
have to be made in the heat of summer rather than the cool of fall.
We are still
negotiating the availability of some varieties but hope to have this
resolved soon. Pinot Noir is very tight this year. We heard that a
major winery known for forward thinking has planted out 4000 acres of
Pinot Noir in California. Pinot Noir will not therefore be scarce in a
few years if others follow. Everything has a cycle. For reasons that I
will go into later, this is probably the year to buy Cabernet Sauvignon
and Merlot. We will update in a few weeks.
Check out the Brehm Vineyards
Cabernet Sauvignon notes...
See earlier
ON THE GRAPE TRAIL news for
down under...
in vino veritas…
Mac MacDonald
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