Page 48 - Grapevine NovDec 2020
P. 48
Around The Vineyard
it. OSU will collect approximately 70 geographical-
ly-dispersed samples representing assorted variet-
ies from vineyards across the state. After the grapes
are tested, microfermentations from those samples
will be analyzed to compile a total phenol profile
for each wine sample. This is the first time fire or
smoke drift pressure covered nearly every wine
producing region in Oregon (effects were some-
what less problematic in the Gorge and The Rocks
District).
While much has been written in the media as
simply fire + smoke + grapes = smoke tainted wine,
Jones asserts, “A smoky wine is not a fire-smoky
wine and not all smoke produces smoke impacted
wines. What is clear is that the historical use of the
term ‘smoky’ with wine has been tied to red wines
that have spent some time aging in oak barrels
which in turn imparts an aromatic characteristic of
‘smokiness’ to the wine,” he adds.
Jones points to how fires have occurred in and
near wine regions such as Australia, Portugal,
California, Washington, and Oregon with numer-
ous reports of smoke ‘tainted’ or ‘impacted’ wines.
“Aspects of how far the smoke travels, the smoke’s
composition, the level in the air that the smoke is
Supporting at, the timing during the vintage, and how long it
Vineyards
for Over
lasts all play a role in whether any smoke impact
30 Years!
might occur to the wines. The additional complica-
WE STOCK & SHIP tion is that grapes may not have any direct flavor or
aroma of smoke, but through the fermentation of
EVERYTHING YOU’LL NEED! the grapes a chemical transformation creates less
desirably characteristics to the wine. However, 1+1
Post, Anchors, Wire, Grow Tubes, does not always equal 2 here, so I urge caution in
Stakes, Training & Tying Supplies, how this conveyed.”
Netting, Lugs & Harvest Supplies, Effects of Wildfire Smoke
Loppers, Pruners, Monofilament, on the 2020 Harvest
Scare Products and Much More!
Call Us Today Murdoch reports that some growers are expe-
315-904-4007 riencing smoke damage and are testing their
fruit. “Smoke characteristics in wine this year are
E Store: FLTSupply.com highly variable and site-specific.” Alex Fullerton,
Winemaker for Fullerton Wines, agreed with this
assessment in an email exchange. “Some vineyard
sites have low to no smoke impact, and some were
Finger Lakes Trellis Supply affected. We picked all our grapes, but made more
5790 Route 104 Williamson, NY 14589 - sales@fltsupply.com rosé or white wine out of some of our red grapes
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