Niagara Harvest 2011

Ok, the Niagara region harvest is just about done, except for the ice and dessert wine varieties, and I have a prediction.  This is just an exercise and I claim no secret powers or even any expertise, I just want to go on record with what I think the 2011 year will bring for wineries.

This year saw the region reach record highs, albeit for short stretches, and the crucial months of September and October saw damp conditions, as did the early months of May and June.  The rain in late September and early October would have a negative effect on the Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Gerwurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay due to a natural lowering of acid.  Look for the 2011 whites to lack the traditional tart apple components and I am guessing many producers will forego the high end wines and concentrate on less expensive, higher yield wines to keep profits up. Inexperienced wine makers will see whites that are flabby in taste.

Reds, on the other hand, might be quite interesting and I think will be a good year for those who have been cultivating Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties.  These wines love the heat resulting in a beefier wine, and, with the right amount of oak, could have some very nice complexity.  I think it will be a good year for the red Canadian/International blends.  Look for some new projects from some of the smaller, more flexible wineries - I read that Rosewood was attempting a Bordeaux style of wine.

Overall, the weather presented an interesting challenge for wine makers in Niagara, as it usually does.  Climate change and a generally warming trend in the region means that Niagara may soon see their traditional grapes replaced by varieties associated with warmer climates.   I feel there will be some interesting times ahead for the industry and look forward to how they respond.  As for 2011, expect high yield, lower end whites and some very interesting reds.

That's my prediction, I'll probably be contradicted by the very first experts to weigh in but, let's see how I do once the wines hit the shelves (yeah, more wine tastings!).