Good Year for Grapes
By: Ashley Zilka
Updated: September 25, 2012
The drought this summer destroyed a lot of crops across the nation, but winemakers across New York are feeling lucky.
The grapes have come in smaller, but it's not stopping the production of wine. They say it's not about quantity, it's about quality.
"We will be winning more awards. The more awards that Finger Lakes wineries win, the more national and international recognition the wines get," said Andrea Colaruotolo O'Neill, Casa Larga Director of Marketing.
Mark Patterson is a winemaker at Casa Larga Vineyards. He says he owes the summer drought a big thanks. While the weather damaged most crops, it helped grapes.
The sun, heat and little rain made the perfect combination for the year's harvest. In fact, winemakers are two weeks ahead of schedule.
"When the weather is still good, if you can get them in, and they are ripe, then you are looking at less issues further down the road," said Mark Patterson.
The timing is not the only plus. The drought made smaller clusters of grapes which wasn't a bad thing.
"The clusters and the berries are a little smaller than they would be in an average year, that doesn't worry me, because it potentially increases the amount of flavoring components that will find its way into the wine," said Patterson.
Mark says the crop produced higher sugar levels and didn't see any diseases. It's the best grapes Casa Larga has seen since 2007.
"We already make world class wines, and this will give us one more opportunity to rival other world class wine making regions," said Colaruotolo O'Neill.
How will this year's exceptional wine affect your wallet in New York? It won't at all. Experts say the only thing you'll notice is the new taste.
The grapes have come in smaller, but it's not stopping the production of wine. They say it's not about quantity, it's about quality.
"We will be winning more awards. The more awards that Finger Lakes wineries win, the more national and international recognition the wines get," said Andrea Colaruotolo O'Neill, Casa Larga Director of Marketing.
Mark Patterson is a winemaker at Casa Larga Vineyards. He says he owes the summer drought a big thanks. While the weather damaged most crops, it helped grapes.
The sun, heat and little rain made the perfect combination for the year's harvest. In fact, winemakers are two weeks ahead of schedule.
"When the weather is still good, if you can get them in, and they are ripe, then you are looking at less issues further down the road," said Mark Patterson.
The timing is not the only plus. The drought made smaller clusters of grapes which wasn't a bad thing.
"The clusters and the berries are a little smaller than they would be in an average year, that doesn't worry me, because it potentially increases the amount of flavoring components that will find its way into the wine," said Patterson.
Mark says the crop produced higher sugar levels and didn't see any diseases. It's the best grapes Casa Larga has seen since 2007.
"We already make world class wines, and this will give us one more opportunity to rival other world class wine making regions," said Colaruotolo O'Neill.
How will this year's exceptional wine affect your wallet in New York? It won't at all. Experts say the only thing you'll notice is the new taste.
