US: California's 2011 vintage poses key dilemmas
US: California's 2011 vintage poses key dilemmas
Oct 15, 2011 6
(SFGate) - California. Land of endless sun and ripe bounty, right?
For wine, 2011 stands to rewrite that notion. Anyone who's been in Northern California this year doesn't need to be reminded of the summer that wasn't. Grapes were delayed first by frost, then by rain and cool weather throughout the spring.
But the cold stayed. And stayed. Around the time that a light jacket was necessary for a Napa evening in July, the speculation began: Did we all fall asleep and wake up in northern Europe?
Yes, and no. This was the odd summer without a heat spike, which can sunburn fruit and turn fresh flavors into jam.
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