Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/62409
VINT A GE 2011 Vintage 2011 A harvest of extremes across North America S cary, glorious, challenging and excellent are all words that growers, winemakers and extension advisors across North America used to describe the 2011 winegrape harvest. Southwest, extreme precipitation in the East and an extreme bounty in Oregon. Each winegrowing region in the United States and Canada experienced a distinct growing season with its own merits and problems. Wines & Vines asked growers, academics and other experts to summarize the growing season and harvest in their areas to create this annual report. It was a time of extremes—from extremely cool weather in California to extreme drought in the Many regions experienced a cooler than normal growing season followed by ill-timed rains that increased pest and disease pressure. Some other challenges faced by nearly all winegrowing regions this year included Botrytis, labor short- ages at the peak of picking and running out of tank space. But while many tons of grapes were lost this year, a number of the professionals who responded to our survey indicated the grapes that were harvested have the potential to yield good wines. We hope you find these reports useful. If your area was not included, and you'd like to contribute to the report next year, please email edit@winesandvines.com. Questions Summary: Please summarize the quality and quantity of the overall 2011 crop in your area. Don't focus exclusively on highly selected lots that will compose reserve-type wines. Weather: Characterize the growing season weather, with emphasis on unusually good or bad weather around harvest. Pests/Diseases: Describe any unusual pest and/or disease pressure. Supply/Demand: Note changes in grape prices, demand and unusually high or low yields. Technology/Techniques: Describe any significant use of new tools, techniques and/or equipment that seriously impacted or improved harvest this year. Logistics: Note logistical challenges such as water short- ages, tank space, labor availability, quarantines, etc. Spring frosts lead to severe shatter damage for Caber- net Sauvignon cultivars in Huerhuero Vineyard in Paso Robles, Calif. 116 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2012 Varieties: Address the specific challenges and successes of major grape varieties or types. —Andrew Adams VINA ROBLES