Decanter is reporting that the rolling power cuts afflicting South Africa, that have already forced the closure of mines across the country, and caused the government to stop supply to Botswana and Namibia, may affect the Republic's grape harvest this year.
The winemaking body Wine Cellars of South Africa is calling for the outages to be moved from daytime to evening or early morning.
To mitigate this problem, many wineries have bought generators in.
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
NZL - Central Otago growing season right on target
The 2008 Central Otago grape harvest is looking good – so far. Central is notorious for early and late frosts, so don’t bet the house on a great season yet. Though it is looking promising, after a very cool start in October that even delayed the new seasons growth of virtually every plant species in the area by three to four weeks.
Rippon Vineyard, nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka, is still taking a conservative approach, despite an excellent growing season.
“With the exception of the odd rainfall here and there, we have had fine, dry weather since mid November” says Jo Mills, Rippon’s Business and Export Manager. “We don't generally start picking until mid April so there is still a good few months. If, and that is of course a big if, this weather continues, we will be looking at an early harvest”
In the Gibbston Valley the same positive, though cautious, approach is prevalent. Greg Hay, of Peregrine Wines, notes that “the fact we had so much rain in spring has been the saviour as that has allowed the vines to access water that wouldn’t normally be there, so are showing no signs of stress yet”.
Elaine Walker, of Quartz Reef, is equally optomistic, an continues to maintain the cautionary tone. “Our old nemesis Jack Frost was around in early November but no commercial damage was experienced. The grapes flowered under favourable conditions and as a result (we’re) currently looking at a well balanced crop.”
Jeff Sinnott, winemaker at Amisfield, noted that they “were up to two weeks late in the early season but then it all changed. The weather fined up & by mid-December things had cheered up considerably”.
And what does Amisfield expect?
“We can only expect the best this year”, continues Sinnott. “The vines are set up perfectly, canopies green & healthy, growth stoppage is right on target so there are no excuses”.
Love that attitude!
Traditionally, there is no real pattern to how the Central Otago growing season will go. It can be hot and dry for months on end, and then either freeze late in the season, or turn to rain, likewise it can be wet and wild all season.
The most famous season is probably the ‘Big Freeze” of 1992 that destroyed a huge percentage of that years harvest.
Promising comments – keep in touch. We’re looking forward to toasty Pinot Noir over the next couple of years.
PS: We sent email requests to 16 wineries, four replied. We have no problem with this, as it is, of course, an extremely busy time of the year.
Rippon Vineyard, nestled on the shores of Lake Wanaka, is still taking a conservative approach, despite an excellent growing season.
“With the exception of the odd rainfall here and there, we have had fine, dry weather since mid November” says Jo Mills, Rippon’s Business and Export Manager. “We don't generally start picking until mid April so there is still a good few months. If, and that is of course a big if, this weather continues, we will be looking at an early harvest”
In the Gibbston Valley the same positive, though cautious, approach is prevalent. Greg Hay, of Peregrine Wines, notes that “the fact we had so much rain in spring has been the saviour as that has allowed the vines to access water that wouldn’t normally be there, so are showing no signs of stress yet”.
Elaine Walker, of Quartz Reef, is equally optomistic, an continues to maintain the cautionary tone. “Our old nemesis Jack Frost was around in early November but no commercial damage was experienced. The grapes flowered under favourable conditions and as a result (we’re) currently looking at a well balanced crop.”
Jeff Sinnott, winemaker at Amisfield, noted that they “were up to two weeks late in the early season but then it all changed. The weather fined up & by mid-December things had cheered up considerably”.
And what does Amisfield expect?
“We can only expect the best this year”, continues Sinnott. “The vines are set up perfectly, canopies green & healthy, growth stoppage is right on target so there are no excuses”.
Love that attitude!
Traditionally, there is no real pattern to how the Central Otago growing season will go. It can be hot and dry for months on end, and then either freeze late in the season, or turn to rain, likewise it can be wet and wild all season.
The most famous season is probably the ‘Big Freeze” of 1992 that destroyed a huge percentage of that years harvest.
Promising comments – keep in touch. We’re looking forward to toasty Pinot Noir over the next couple of years.
PS: We sent email requests to 16 wineries, four replied. We have no problem with this, as it is, of course, an extremely busy time of the year.
Monday, 28 January 2008
NZL - New Zealand Winery named Top Producer for 2007
American wine critic Michael Franz has named New Zealand wine producer Villa Maria Estate the 2007 world wine producer of the year. Franz, who wrote for the Washington Post for 11 years, describes Villa Maria as being at the forefront of the historic rise of kiwi wine. He went on to say that Villa Maria is "an innovator in technical matters and an exemplar in terms of quality and price".
Franz singled out the Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc as 'among the world's best'.
Villa Maria was founded in 1961 by George Fistonich. It has been at the forefront of the 'screw-cap' revolution, and it's wines have been cork free since 2004.
I would just like to say that this writer has been espousing the virtues of Villa Maria for many years, to anyone who would listen. Not many did.
Oh, for a reputation!
Franz singled out the Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc and Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc as 'among the world's best'.
Villa Maria was founded in 1961 by George Fistonich. It has been at the forefront of the 'screw-cap' revolution, and it's wines have been cork free since 2004.
I would just like to say that this writer has been espousing the virtues of Villa Maria for many years, to anyone who would listen. Not many did.
Oh, for a reputation!
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