Pinot noir growing at Freedom Run Vineyards By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Region Editor Does everyone remember 2007? That was a great year, wasn’t it? And how about those whites from 2008? They have such a graceful balance of fruit and acidity…good times. Now that I’m feeling at ease, let me begin the conversation about this 2009 growing season in the Niagara region. It hasn’t been ideal to say the least. The cooler-than-normal temperatures, high humidity and relentless early rains kept disease pressure on everyone’s mind. Wineries with an environmentally sustainable, organic approach have seen an especially challenging season. For…
Posts Tagged“niagara wine”
They Made Wine Out of What? Judging an Amateur Wine Competition
By Bryan Calandrelli, Niagara Regional Correspondent In the spirit of my “Funny Farm” style transition to rural living, I recently co-chaired the 14th Annual Home Winemakers Competition for the Niagara County Fair. This event manages to energize a small group of passionate local winemakers to showcase their skills, and this year we decided to bring in some local wineries to award fruit and grapes to the best in class winners. Now I know what you’re thinking, how do I get all these glamorous gigs? Okay, maybe you’re not thinking that, but the truth is there’s nothing glam about tasting more…
You’ve Got Hail
By Brian Calandrelli, Niagara Correspondent This summer has tested vineyard managers throughout Niagara County, NY with rainy, humid and sometimes dangerous weather patterns. Hail fell from the sky at least three times, which made many in the industry rethink their expectations for their crops this year. I’ve read several reports on bad weather in Bordeaux, Burgundy and even on this site about Long Island, so it’s not all that surprising that our cool climate in the Niagara region wasn’t spared. I walked through Martin Schulze’s vineyard after the last hailstorm and the damage was obvious. On the east side of…