Harvest 2022 Update

As of this writing, the 2022 grape harvest is still two to three weeks behind normal. A cold, wet spring led to late flowering and a hot summer with many days with 100 plus degree temperatures also slowed the grapes' development. At this point, most grapes harvested are white, with some Merlot and Syrah. Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon still have a ways to go yet. Winemakers are constantly checking brix, Ph and acid levels on a block by block basis. The fruits can still be ripe even if the numbers are not what they should be. What winemakers are looking for are flavor metrics that indicate what the wine will taste like when made. So far, the grapes' quality levels are high, so the vintage looks promising. The weather forecast looks good, with mild temperatures and fair skies. So let's keep our fingers crossed, and hope to avoid a compressed harvest like 2011.

Fruit Acids: A Glossary

Because fruit acids play an important role in wines' flavor profiles (especially in 2022), here's what different acids add to wines.

Citric Acid - This is present in citrus fruits: lemons, limes, oranges, grapefruits and in wine adds citrus aromas (especially in whites) and sometimes in red wines (orange and or orange peel).

Malic Acid - This is the acid that is present in apples and pears and in wines impart "appley" aromas and flavors. It can be a precursor of lactic acid which occurs from malolactic fermentation (see below).

Lactic Acid - This is the 'dairy" acid, occurring in milk, cream and cheese. In higher levels, it can be sour (as in "sour cream"). Malic acid can be reduced to lactic acid through malolactic fermentation to lower the overall acidity and to add a "creamy" texture to a wine.

Tartaric Acid - This is widely present in grapes. Sometimes it can precipitate out into crystals which look like broken glass. In wines, tartaric acid adds tartness. A typical wine that is high in tartaric acid is Barbera, an Italian Piedmont variety that can be described as tasting like tart cherries.

Looking Ahead to November

I am now working on the November issue of the Review of Washington Wines which goes on line October 25. In it, there will be many new releases from the Walla Walla Vally, including Aluvé, Bergevin Lane, The Walls, Isenhower Cellars and others. Coverage will be expanded with reports on VanArnam Vineyards in the Yakima Valley and Amos Rome in Chelan. There will be a goodly number of 2020 reds. For more abut that vintage, see below for the 02 September posting, "Here Come the 2020 Reds."