Finally, grape flowers in the Pinot gris - all two of them! I have been checking on a daily basis to see if bloom was ever going to get started this year, only to come away each time disappointed. The weather has been unseasonably cool this spring and sunny days have been in short supply. I have heard reports that in the Carneros AVA Chardonnay vines planted there are only about 10-15% through bloom.
What is surprising to me is that bloom didn't begin in the Orange muscat block first, it usually does, but then it seems that 2011, like 2010, is going to be an unusual growing season. I estimate that bloom in Vinoland is about 2 weeks later than last year.
Great, another shortened growing season in the Tundra!
10 comments:
English Wine Week started on Saturday, and unusually good early spring weather hints at an exceptional grape harvest this year. We don't have many vineyards in Turnipland, but most farmers are saying that crops are anything up to a month early - eg asparagus is actually finished in some places.
Affer...slow and cold in the north, veggies too.
Seems like we are experiencing the same weather from Coast to Coast.
We've had more rain in April and May than ever in this region, and temperatures have remained below average for the period.
Everything in the ground appears to be in jeopardy, and if I had known I might have either planted rice or figured a way to make a living by selling mud and mosquitos.
really great to be following the climatic progression... could it be that CA is heading toward a new and cooler trend?
there were no blue bonnets this year in Texas... lack of rain, they say... :(
Affer: But, how are the turnips doing?
Thud: Northern California or Northern England...our weather doesn't seem to be that different.
Thomas: Mosquito larvae in every last cubic inch of standing water here. Nasty little things.
2B: It's all cyclical, I'll be complaining about the lack of rain in a year or two no doubt.
What? Texas without Bluebonnets?
In a garden center today I saw a grape plant with baby grapes on, and I thought of you. Must be grand to be surrounded by a wealth of such things, bursting with beauty and future grand occasions. :)
Phlemmy, thanks for thinking of me. I like being surrounded by grapevines and witnessing the passage of time through their growth stages. I imagine most annual crops would be just as fun.
Phlemgate,
Like VG, I like being surrounded by grape vines too.
In their neat rows, in winter, they appear like lean, underfed sentries overlooking and guarding our fabulous Finger Lakes region.
As they develop their plumage in late spring, they appear like plumping swan sentries.
During summer, they seem rather unkempt, sentries at ease, shooting their limbs this way and that until someone comes along to give them a pep talk and a haircut.
In autumn, they look earnest and intent, flush with the business at hand, which is to give over their fruits. They resist a little, but then they always lose the fight.
Tired, they drop their guard, relax a little and then take up their posts guarding the lake region during the coming winter and the start of a new cycle.
Vinogirl and Thomas: sounds like heaven on earth!
Nice Thomas :)
Post a Comment