Seasonal update 2022: GDD, first fall frost and harvest

At the beginning of this week some parts in the province were hit by the first frost of the season and in some cases the temperatures decreased below zero. It’s important to keep in mind that those areas affected with low temperatures will have change in the canopy, turning color to yellow, red, getting brown in some cases and starting to fall. Also, Jeff Franklin from AAFC Kentville is sharing with us the weather information of growing degree days, which is slowing down as October is starting. Hybrids are still being harvested and getting close to the end, while vinifera varieties are in harvest mode. Just remember, it’s always important to reach out the wineries to know which are the grape ripening requirements and when would be the best time to harvest the grapes.

Seasonal update 2022: post storm, GDD, ripening and harvest

Last weekend hurricane Fiona hit our province, affecting throughout the vineyards and particular areas with more negative effects than others. Damage registered across the province is berry skin damage, some berry splitting and trellis system with broken poles. Extra attention must be considered with varieties expected to be hanged longer, scouting to take a look at any potential botrytis and products to manage them in case to be necessary. Moreover, as previous publications Jeff Franklin from AAFC Kentville is sharing with us the weather information of growing degree days and presenting less changes compared the middle of summer. Hybrids are in harvest mode, while some vinifera varieties are starting to be picked. Just remember, it’s always important to reach out the wineries to know which are the grape ripening requirements and when would be the best time to harvest the grapes.

Seasonal update 2022: GDD, ripening, harvest and storm preparation

Jeff Franklin from AAFC Kentville is sharing with us the weather information with positive values of growing degree, but not as high as the previous weeks. Hybrids have already started harvest; these grapes reached the values required by the wineries and decided to start picking for specific wines. Just remember, it’s always important to reach out the wineries to know which are the grape ripening requirements and when would be the best time to harvest the grapes.

Seasonal update 2022: GDD, veraison is done, grape sampling and starting harvest!

Jeff Franklin from AAFC Kentville is sharing with us weather information with positive values of growing degree values like last week. Veraison is almost done in the latest Vitis vinifera varieties, such as Pinot noir and Riesling. Even though these last varieties are reaching this phenological stage, in some cases hybrids are starting to be harvested for specific wine styles. Just remember, it’s always important to reach the wineries to know which are the grape ripening requirements and when would be the best time to harvest the grapes.

Tips for Managing Sour Rot in the Winery

An outreach brief was published by the team of researchers, Belinda Kemp, Emma Snyder, Wendy McFadden-Smith, and Debbie Inglis, from Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) with support from CGCN-RCCV as part of the Grape and Wine Science Research cluster. The document aims to guide winemakers through working with sour rot affected grapes.  

The tips include harvest, juice processing options (for Sparkling and white grape juice and red juice), juice fining, nutrition, yeast and fermentation, sulfur dioxide (SO2) additions post-fermentation, fining and filtering sparkling base wine & red wine. Alternative solutions for sour rot are also covered.  

The document of outreach brief on managing sour rot in the winery can be found in this link.  

Weather update: temperatures stable and harvest started!

Jeff Franklin is sharing this week the main observations of the season in terms of temperature until September 19. Always good to remember, this information is coming from Kentville Research Development Centre (KRDC), therefore, some differences between locations are possible to be found.

Best practices session 5 replay

On Thursday September 9, we had the fifth session of the season and the recording is now available.

Best Practices Session 5

The season has moving quite fast, with a good amount of precipitation and heat units. Currently, a big percentage of grapevines has achieved veraison, depending locations through the province, which means is time to prepare the vineyard for harvest. Thus, it’s time for the Best Practices session 5.

Harvest 2020 is “Wine”-ding Down

This season grape harvest has started earlier than it did in 2019, with some varieties as much as a month ahead. The combination of climatic factors such as low precipitation and warm temperatures, created ideal conditions to accelerate the fruit ripening process of all the varieties in the province. Both hybrids and Vitis vinifera varieties have reached good sugar accumulation and the steady drop of acidity which allows for the maturity of balanced fruit. Currently, most hybrids have been harvested, particularly those intended for sparkling wine production while some remain on the vine for still wine production. The situation in Vitis vinifera varieties is similar with harvest is ongoing and the latest varieties to be harvested in the next couple of weeks, depending on climatic conditions, the vineyard objective and the health of the plants.