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VINTAGE 2011 Northwest BRITISH ColumBIA An unusually cool growing season yielded a crop that promises to be equal to or slightly above the 2010 harvest of 17,778 tons, which was down 11% from 2009. The 2011 season was successful despite the odds. Reports indicate that this year's fruit exhibits balanced sugars, acids and phenolics, promising elegant wines low in alcohol but pleasing to the palate. Weather: A late start to a cool season left vines waiting until late July for warmth. Steady accumulation of heat in the latter part of the season was followed by rela- tively dry conditions at harvest. Pests/Diseases: Despite a late harvest, many growers learned from their expe- riences in 2010 and were prepared for potential depredation by wildlife. Supply/Demand: Grape prices strength- ened mildly in 2010 on a short crop, and demand, in step with the slightly larger crop of 2011, should help firm up those gains. Varieties: Merlot and Chardonnay remain the province's top-planted grapes, with Syrah touted as a rising star in the south- ern Okanagan Valley. Peter mitham Northwest correspondent Wines & Vines magazine IdAHo Idaho grapes took their time ripen- ing, however the growing season was great once it started. Temperatures had good balance, and we have surpassed any issues nature tried to throw our way. We had no frost damage from last winter and no problems with powdery mildew. The quality looks good and per- haps even better than last year. As for quantity, it was down 10%-15% due to weather conditions. Weather: A late and wet spring led to slow development, but record warm tempera- Want to run roll-on and torque-on with the same machine? Arol's flexible capping technology applies everything from corks, to torque-on aluminum closures. We custom design your machine for your specific application. Contact us at: AROL North America 450 Satellite Blvd NE | Suite A Suwanee, GA 30024 | Tel: 678.318.1290 www.arol.com QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #1139 WV201111_arol_island.indd 1 Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2012 123 11/4/2011 9:05:39 AM With over thirty years' experience and 15,000 machines to-date, we have a perfect solution for your application. tures in August helped the vines progress. Fall had many hot days in September and a couple of rainstorms in October. Pests/Diseases: There were no problems with powdery mildew due to newer pesticides. Supply/Demand: We continue to have stable prices, normal demand and average to slightly lower yields. Logistics: A compressed harvest cycle led to a lack of tank space at times. Varieties: The red grapes are the size of small berries, which means that the color extraction will be good and wines will have higher alcohol and acid levels. moya Shatz dolsby Executive director, Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission oReGon The 2011 harvest is expected to total between 41,000 and 45,000 tons. This is an increase of 25% or more from the 2010 harvest and a new record for Oregon. The quality of the vintage is expected to be excellent and compare favorably to the outstanding vintages of the past two decades, especially 1999. Making the move to screw cap? SCREW