Sigh. The 2005 vintage was widely expected to be one of the best ever on Long Island (particularly for red wines). A hot, dry growing season led to small, concentrated fruit that was ripening extremely well.

We literally have had almost no rain all summer and early fall…until the last few days.

Rain has been soaking most of Long Island (and the eastern seaboard) for days…and I fear all that water is going to dilute the flavors and potentially neccessitate earlier-than-wanted harvesting.

I know several vineyards already picked their chardonnay (and some other whites) before the rains…but most were holding onto the reds…pushing the limits of hang time.

Let’s hope I’m overreacting.