Issue link: http://winesandvines.uberflip.com/i/74662
VINT A GE 2010 Logistics: Temporary shortages of tank space. Low availability of skilled vineyard labor. Varieties: Mediterranean varieties excel in the Texas climate. Viognier, Vermentino and Muscat are the best whites; best reds: Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Mourvedre and Cabernet Sauvignon. Edward Hellman Professor of viticulture, Texas AgriLife Extension CONNECTICUT 2010 was generally an excellent year for quality winegrapes in Connecticut. The growing season was two to three weeks earlier than average throughout the state. Quantity was average except for vineyards that experienced frost damage in early May. Disease pressure was fairly light, and fruit ElDorado_Feb08 1/7/08 4:09 PM Page 1 East ripened earlier than most years. Weather: This was one of the warmest growing seasons on record. There was a hard frost during the second week of May. The summer was warm and dry, with average rain events resum- ing mid-August. Pests/Diseases: Due to the dry weather, disease pressure was relatively light in most vineyards. There were some outbreaks of powdery mildew and harvest rots. Varieties: Early budding cultivars, especially riparia-based ones, were much more frost-damaged than more cold-tender but later budding cultivars. William Nail Assistant scientist II, The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station Crop sizes were average to slightly larger than normal, but smaller berry size due to drought conditions resulted in below- average fruit weight. Fruit quality was high in most varieties, the best since 2007. MARYLAND From 100 to 1,000,000 Cases, Pro Refrigeration has the Perfect Chiller Solution Weather: Lots of snow in January, back-to-back blizzards in Feb- ruary, March was wet, April dry, seasonable temperatures March through May, record highs and drought conditions through the summer. Pests/Diseases: Relatively little disease or pest pressure, except for the stink bugs, which devastated some crops but were little more than a nuisance elsewhere. Supply/Demand: Grape prices remained stable, and demand is increasing as new wineries continue to open each year. Varieties: Grape varieties remain mostly unchanged, but some that are new to the region—including Albariño, Malbec and Petit Verdot—are given increased exposure. Jack Johnston Vineyard owner/manager, Maryland Grape Growers Association Packaged Glycol Chiller Systems Designed Specifically for the Wine Industry When Keeping COOL is Everything™ 800-845-7781 QSEE US AT UNIFIED, BOOTH #1708 www.prochiller.com Wines & Vines JAnUARY 2011 103