Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/101495
NORTHWEST British Columbia���Idaho VINTAGE 2012 NORTHWEST Reporting from: ��� British Columbia ��� Idaho ��� Oregon ��� Washington British Columbia Other regional designations: Okanagan Quality overall is good to excellent with good pH/TA balance and excellent flavors. Sugars slightly lower than normal. 110 W in es & V i ne s JANUARY 20 13 Weather: Bud break and bloom came at normal time. Thunderstorms dropped up to 10 inches of rain through June and July, encouraging growth and delaying maturity by two weeks or so. A long, warm and sunny fall pulled the region through. Pests/diseases: There were far less pest problems this year. Vigilant spray applications for fungi, particularly through June, ensured that crops were generally quite clean. Supply/demand: Prices held firm. More grapes were sold on the spot market. Yields per acre were about average. Technology/techniques: Growers did more canopy management in general. Vigilant shoot, lateral and bunch thinning with more leaf removal was evident. Operations were done in a more timely fashion. Logistics: There were no water shortages. Wineries are waiting for red fermentors. Few labor problems. Varieties: If crop loads are adjusted, and irrigation and canopy management is done in a vigilant manner based on the season, B.C. growers seem to pull through well. Richard Cleave Owner, Phantom Creek Vineyard Idaho Other regional designation: Snake River Valley Idaho had near-perfect growing conditions. Due to a longer harvest season, the 2012 wines will have more complete phenological ripening, translating into more developed aromas and flavors. Acid levels will be slightly lower than the past two years, making the wines more approachable. The quality was excellent on most blocks and great on the others. Quantity was down about 20% across all varieties. Weather: The growing season and harvest weather was nearly perfect. A very dry, warm summer and fall resulted in small berry size and superior quality. Pests/diseases: There was no unusual pest or disease pressure with a hot, dry summer and fall with good air circulation. One of our most successful harvests. Supply/demand: Yields were 20% lower than 2011, and demand for winegrapes is up. More wineries are opening, and current wineries are expanding production. Prices remained stable. SEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #2311