Spectacular year in the vineyard
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Posted By MONIQUE BEECH , STANDARD STAFF
Posted 7 hours ago
Last year, Tawse winemaker Paul Pender was
out in the vineyard picking his first lot of grapes in late September.
On
Wednesday, Pender started hauling in four tonnes of Chardonnay grapes
destined for sparkling wine -- a full month ahead of 2009, making it one
of the earliest starts to a grape harvest in Niagara's history.
Hot summer days coupled
with a warm spring and just the right amount of rain have made 2010 an
ideal grape growing season, leading some growers to suggest this vintage
might be the best the region has ever seen.
Pender, whose Vineland
winery was among the first to pick this year, said the fruit hanging
from the vines looks spectacular.
"I think it's going to be a
fantastic year," he said, speaking by cellphone from Tawse Winery's
estate vineyard.
"I hate to say anything and jinx myself, but it
looks like we are in the makings for a fantastic vintage. Everything
seems to be ripening up beautifully."
But there's still a long way
to go. Most growers are not expected to start picking until later this
week, and the bulk of the harvest likely won't happen until around
Labour Day.
Grapes used for sparkling wine -- namely Chardonnay
and Pinot Noir -- are picked earlier than those used for table wines to
keep acid levels relatively high and sugar levels lower.
Niagara-on-the-Lake
grape grower Matthias Oppenlaender said if September weather holds up
with sunny skies, this year's vintage could be the best he can recall.
Grapes this year are on track to receive that perfect balance between
sugar and acid, which gives wines that crisp finish.
"If we get
the right fall, it could be the best ever," said Oppenlaender, who
oversees about 400 acres of grapes and serves as vice-chairman of the
Grape Growers of Ontario.
"We could be on track for an '07 (billed
as one of the best vintages in Niagara's history)," Oppenlaender said.
"But it could be even better. We'll see what happens from here on in."
Even with the quality, selling all of this
year's crop could be an issue. More than 4,000 tonnes of grapes have
yet to be sold, according to the Grape Growers of Ontario's grape sale
list for August.
The Ontario grape industry has been racked with
two years of massive grape surpluses in 2008 and 2009.
This year,
growers and wineries have agreed on a new pricing program designed to
sell types of grapes known to be in abundance, such as Chardonnay and
Cabernet Franc.
Oppenlaender said he hopes the new pricing
structure coupled with great grapes is enough to sweeten the deal for
wineries.
"We're hoping they take advantage of this, particularly
in a great year like this," said Oppenlaender, who expects to start
picking Friday.
Craig McDonald, a winemaker at Hillebrand Estates
Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, said he intends to take full advantage of
a great harvest this year and process a whopping 14,000 tonnes of
grapes -- the full capacity for the winery.
Hillebrand is owned by
Andrew Peller Ltd., which works with 65 growers in Niagara.
"We're
going to have a gift horse of a red wine year this year," he said.
"We're
all geared up to take on as much as we can and go from there."
McDonald
said all grape varieties are looking great, but Sauvignon Blanc and
Merlot are especially poised to shine.
mbeech@stcatharinesstandard.ca
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