and beer has been tasting better lately though still not outrunning the vino.

California, about two weeks ago, suddenly transitioned from winter to summer. 50 degrees one day, 80 the next and the weather has held. All the wildflowers are out nearly a month earlier than usual.

Now comes the wine part. Lets assume the weather holds. What effect does this have on the wine crop? Does the sudden change in temperatures lead to more uniform budding and grape bunches? Does the longer growing season bode well for a large but high quality crop? Will the fickle zinfandel grape have more evenly sized berries?

Any thoughts on how this years weather might affect the crop?

My prediction is that California will have a VERY good wine year, that is, if this summer will continue the trend of spring. I went to Hawaii last week and stopped in SF on the way back to Seattle and was amazed that SF was hotter than Hawaii.

Think of France last summer. The heatwave created wines full of sugar and alcohol content. They say 2003 will be as good or better than 2000 in France because of the heat. Let's hope it will be the same in California this year.



Wine Discussion Forum

This weather sucks...

---------------------------
www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

But what will it do to/for the vines Pyang?

IT is snowing here.

snowing where, man?
and will it effect the vines here?

Free Martha!

The warm temperature is just making the vines to wake up earlier than normal. Depends on the varietal, some of them already have four inches of growth, where Cabernet Sauvignon vines are just popping out for the most part, at least the ones I came across today.

The one worry like any other vintage is the frost damage if the temperature suddenly drops. With early growth, there may be a bit more to worry about as there is an extra half a month for the mother nature to do some damage. Other than that, it's business as usual.

In the long run, growing season speaking wise anyway. If the weather holds steady through the summer without any significant heat spike or cold spell, the vintage should turn out to be another beauty due to the long and steady season.

---------------------------
www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

In my part of the world it's STILL summer. I'm waiting for it to cool down. About 3 weeks ago we had a full week with temperatures above 105 F. and at 85% humidity. I want it to cool down ASAP

------------------------------
The ultimate result of shielding men from the effects of folly is to fill the world with fools. -Herbert Spencer

2 1/2 weeks of 80 plus in nor-cal makes the growers very nervous. I was reading over the weekend this is the longest string of 80 plus days for March going back to 1850's.

We invaribly have another good frost before before mid-april. Those of us in the foothills are even more at risk. Forcast is calling for a cold front to move in Thursday night and Friday. Keep our fingers crossed...

GKM

This stretch of weather has certainly made for some perfect off-season wine tasting trips here in no-cal. With out of town guest, visited Rosenblum (alameda), David Bruce, and Bonny Doone (Santa Cruz Mtns) this weekend. No crowds whatsoever. Had a sublime picnic after tasting at Bonny Doone - in the sun next, to a creek...it doesn't get much better.

***********************************
Abstainer: a weak person who yields to the temptation of denying himself a pleasure.
--Ambrose Bierce

It sure ain't summer here yet.... and my tag line speaks for itself!

snow sucks, cold is worse.......

Third day out of the last four that it has snowed here. Only reason it didn't snow yesterday was it was too cold (-10C). Summer my a**.

quote:

---

Originally posted by steve8:
Summer my a**.

---

LOL...

---------------------------
www.winebid.com
2004 Whirlwind Tour

quote:
________________________________________________
The one worry like any other vintage is the frost damage if the temperature suddenly drops. With early growth, there may be a bit more to worry about as there is an extra half a month for the mother nature to do some damage. Other than that, it's business as usual.
________________________________________________

How does frost damage a vintage anyway. I know in 2001 there was a frost in the third week of April in Northern CA, and it caused low yields. Can this be a good thing?, we know how 01 turned out.