- Although much still depends on the summer weather, the late spring rains and cool temperatures that played havoc with other agricultural crops eventually may produce a vintage wine year.
From the San Jose Mercury News:
Although much still depends on the summer weather, the late spring rains and cool temperatures that played havoc with other agricultural crops eventually may produce a vintage year.
In a twist of fate -- something the wine industry often relies on -- the cool spring had delayed the bloom by up to three weeks, so when the rains came, they did little damage, said Prudy Foxx, a Santa Cruz vineyard consultant and owner of Foxx Viticulture.
"The biggest danger is getting rain during the bloom," Foxx said. "If that happens, it washes off the pollen, we have a poor bloom set and run the risk of not having much fruit. "... If this had been a normal year, it would have been a disaster."
Terry Hall with the Napa Valley Vintners said that the next few weeks could tell the future for the season. "If we get a bump up in temperature, things will be much better," Hall said.
For more, see: Cool weather, late rain may produce a vintage year for wines
