The Consequences of a Warm Winter in Ontario

TULIPS in March!



Lilies in March!



Hostas in March!

Wonderful!

However, while this is good news for my garden, what about Niagara Ice Wine. Here is what Adam Lechmere and Emily Pearce said in www.decanter.com:

In Niagara the Icewine harvest is in danger not only due to abnormally high temperatures but also because of significant rainfall during autumn.

Although most Niagara Icewine producers also make table wine, considerable rainfall forced growers to pick the thin-skinned Riesling grape early leaving nothing for Icewine.

Producers such as Cave Spring Cellars and Chateau des Charmes, which only use Riesling, have to sit this season out.

With 2011 being the smallest harvest in the past 11 years, and the major varietal – Riesling – out of the picture, many are expressing concerns about meeting demand in the future.

Paul Bosc, chairman and winemaker at Chateau des Charmes said, ‘Although missing a season can be compensated by in house reserves, two or three bad years could mean problems addressing the demands of the market.’

However, the region hasn’t given up hope. ‘It is too early to write the obituary for Niagara Icewine,’ Bosc said.

Meanwhile at prestigious producer Peller Estates Winery they are optimistic, as for a single evening this month temperatures fell to the required -10C, enabling a large portion of their grapes to be picked.

‘We are confident in our suppliers delivering the quantity and quality we need. One more good freeze and we will harvest the balance of our grapes,’ international sales manager Louise Wilson said.

Story by Adam Lechmere and Emily Pearce in Niagara

Courtesy of Decanter

www.decanter.com