Pruning will be the order of the day for me. Most vineyards around the valley are already pruned, Opus One's vineyard on the Oakville Crossroad is one such vineyard. Some, like mine, are not. I am so far behind this year, but I fully intend to finish Vinoland's Syrah vines today.
Opus One's assertion of "low-yield, high-density spacing" can be evidenced in the picture of the stumpy, cordon trained Cabernet sauvignon vine above. One would think that that type of planting, on the deep, fertile soil of valley-floor Oakville would spell trouble by producing elevated levels of methoxypyrazines in the finished wine. One would probably be correct, especially since Cabernet sauvignon has a propensity for high levels of methoxypyrazines to begin with. Cramming the vines so close together just serves to make them compete for sunlight, so they tend to over produce vegetation in the quest for the light energy their neighbour might be getting, shading the ripening fruit in the process.
A 1994 bottle of Opus One shared with Vinomaker and Thud, was however one of the most enjoyable wines that I have ever had...so I suppose the proof of the pudding is in the drinking. It's just that I prefer my vines to be happy, well adjusted and spaced vines. With that in mind, I am off out into the vineyard to indulge them their every whim: they will reward me in the autumn.
5 comments:
well adjusted vines as opposed to delinquent?....Opus do make a good drop though.
free range vines?
Thud: I'm very anthropomorhic, what can I say? I don't want any depressed vines in Vinoland, it's the happiest place on earth.
Monkey: Yes, to go with a few chickens I will eventually get when V2 stops chasing everything that moves!
where was I read about the negative effects of higher density planting... it was interesting to say the least.
Might of Been that book how I saved from the world from Parkization a Must Read, which I should review...
Weston, yes go ahead and review it, that would be fun.
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