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SEPTEMBER NEWS Northern California's coastal vineyards in late spring, but some viticulturists believe the shatter effects could result in better quality fruit with minimal intervention. Winegrape varieties going through bloom during the first week of June were probably the hardest hit in the Napa Valley. Some vineyards emerged unscathed while others lost more than 50% of their crop loads. Garrett Buckland of Premiere Viticultur- al Services reported that the Napa Valley got 3-4 inches of rain during bloom, and the resulting shatter hit every winegrape variety. Ideal bloom weather is rain-free, with temperatures in the 75°F-85°F range. Buckland added that some varieties with naturally high disease pressure could benefit from a bit of shatter, which loosens clusters and allows greater airflow. Nick Frey, president of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, said that in his region shatter took its biggest toll on APPROVALS TTB LABEL Low per-label costs Gov't. Liaison Negotiations or Footwork Reasonable Hourly Rates TRADEMARK SEARCHES As Low as $185 Your trade names or designs are searched at the U.S. Patent Office to help establish valuable ownership Over 100 years' total staff experience handling every government liaison need for industry. or avoid costly legal liability. Phone or write for details. Phone: (703) 524-8200 Fax: 525-8451 TOLL-FREE 1-800-642-6564 Major Credit Cards Accepted www.trademarkinfo.com Since 1957 200 N. Glebe Rd., Suite 321 Arlington, Virginia 22203 18 Wines & Vines sePTeMBeR 2011 The appearance of a cluster with above-average set and no shatter contrasts sharply with a cluster hit hard by berry shatter within the same Napa valley vineyard. GovtLiaison_Dir08 11/29/07 2:00 PM Pag Sauvignon Blanc, although it affected nearly all varieties to some degree. "I think overall yields are going to be off this year—proba- bly not a big crop in any variety," he said. winesandvines.com Learn more: Search keyword "shatter." Frey added that canopies have been growing vigorously, and vineyard manag- ers who opted to turn on their irrigation systems in August would have to worry about mildew. —Kate Lavin Nov. 3, when the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair kicks off a three-day event designed to introduce global wine brands to the growing Asian marketplace. As wine importer Wayne Chan said in "China Waits for the Sleeping Tiger" (Wines & Vines, May 2011), China is home to a rapidly growing number of affluent consumers hungry for western Vintners explore Asian market H ong Kong—The Pearl of the Orient will draw more than 750 exhibitors FAR EAST CHINA Hong Kong Berry Shatter: Blessing or Curse? N apa, Calif.—Heavy rainfall and roll- ercoaster temperatures near bloom time contributed to berry shatter in products. But while European, Australian and South American wineries have embraced the opportunity, few North American wineries have followed suit. Exhibitors will include firms experienced with opening new Asian markets as well as delegations from six continents. This year's fair features Italy as the partner country, and an awards ceremony will take place at the Italian-themed opening night gala. More than 14,000 public visitors attended the fair's opening day in 2010. For more information about the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, visit hktdc.com/fair/ hkwinefair-en/. —Kate Lavin GARRETT BUCKLAND/PREMIERE VITICULTURAL SERVICES