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You are a little further ahead than we are in Oregon. We are just a few weeks past bud break. Some thoughts on irrigating grape wines:
1. Over watering isn't necessarily a bad thing. Grape vines are a riparian species that thrives on moisture, so regulation of the amount of water the vines receive is important to controlling vigor. Vines, were irrigation is controlled, produce better fruit.
2. When the vines go into verasion, that period when the grapes ripen and sweeten, irrigation should be greatly reduced or cut off entirely in order to cause the vines to focus on ripening the fruit.
3. In Oregon and California, the ideal production level for a vineyard producing fine wines is 3 tons per acre. Under ideal conditions a mature vine should not be allowed to produce more 10 full clusters.
4. Producers of cheap mass produced wines are cropping at anywhere from 5 to 7 tons per acre.
Chris Vais
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Some observations about the climatic conditions that will impact the 2020 vintage in Oregon. Climate conditions look to be a repeat of 2015 in some areas and that may not be a good thing. In the Willamette Valley 2015 was a hot year and it is definitely reflected in the wine. I’ve not found a 2015 Pinot Noir that I like. To me they taste as if they were made from over ripe fruit, overly tannic and in some cases the wines are unbalanced, the relationship between acid, tannins, and alcohol content is off.
When summertime temperatures get to warm, Pinot Noir grapes develop tough tannic skins. The PNW style calls for a 7 to 10 day cold soak before fermentation is initiated. The purpose of the cold soak is to facilitate the extraction of color and tannins. I don't know if winemakers made any adjustments in soak time. By way of comparison, the 2016's are much better and the 2017's better still.
The climatological data that I just reviewed suggests that conditions will be on a similar trajectory to 2015 in the Willamette with southern Oregon and Eastern Washington, both wine grape producing locations, experiencing drought conditions. Another issue for growers and vintners to wary of is mildew. The Pacific waters offshore are warmer resulting in evening temperatures being warmer and more moist which, in turn, increase the potential for mildew to attack the grapes.
Now that COVID-19 restrictions are loosening, is I'll start looking for a job.
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What varietal gapes are these?
Chris Vais
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Robert,
So I did a background search on your grape. It turns out that Muscat of Alexandria is an ancient vine which is to say that it is one of the oldest varietal wine grape that has been genetically modified to produce better wine. In the wine grape business, genetically modified means that the grape varietal has been hybridized. This varietal was probably cultivated by the Egyptians.
Thrives in a hot climate and is prone to producing a high alcohol wine that is often blended into wines to raise alcohol content in cool years when wine grapes may not achieve a desirable Brix prior to harvest. As it turns out the wine made from these grapes can vary from white to red. I suspect the longer you let them hang on the vine, the tendency will be to produce a darker colored wine, but also one with higher alcohol content.
Dan,
So most of the health benefits attributed to Red wine are generally correct. There are cosmetics manufactures who use red wine pomace to make facial cosmetics. The antioxidant benefits are well established and it is true that Pinot Noir has heifer levels of antioxidants.
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We drink Reds year-round, though on a hot day there is nothing better than a Sauvignon Blanc or Rose' at lunchtime.
Jay
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