11/21/07 Walla Walla Wines

Walla Walla Wine Industry. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. There appears to be some excitement in Eastern Washington. And all that enthusiasm is about the wine grape harvest this year. Jordan Small is the Communications Associate with the Walla Walla Wine Alliance. SMALL: Harvest was looking pretty good for the Walla Walla vineyards and I think most of the growers are pretty pleased with it. The weather was actually very cooperative this year so that was helpful. All across the northwest, wine grape growers have been very excited about this year's crop. Sugar content in grapes just before harvest can vary and Small says that it looks good. SMALL: It looks like they were high but not too high. We been kind of starting to worry about the sugar level increasing and therefore the alcohol level is increasing so I think a lot of growers and winemakers are starting to be more conscious of that and when it comes to harvest time they're starting to really look at those numbers and everything was pretty good this year. Nothing was getting too high. Wine makers are right now beginning the crafting process for a whole new batch of great tasting Washington wines but don't be in too much of a hurry. Small says it takes time. White wines can be turned around a lot quicker and you may see some varieties by next May. SMALL: For reds, some of them will be released before harvest of '08 but a lot of times they're in barrel longer. It just depends. Some of the higher end wine will be in barrel longer, some of the red table wines or kind of less expensive will turn over more quickly. No doubt though that 2007 will be remembered as a good year for wine. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.