Wine Sediments

The AP reports that Oregon grape growers are smiling these days because of an above average grape harvest. While the exact numbers for the harvest are not available until November, the rumor is that this harvest is 15 to 20 percent higher than usual.

For the last two years, Oregon grape growers have not been so lucky, with low yields characterizing the harvests. But after “less aggressive thinning” to offset the previously low yields, things improved. The growers were happy both with the quantity and quality of the grapes produced:

“This year, after the late season rain, it really warmed up and everything ripened at once,” he said. “We went straight through the harvest without stopping, and all the fruit looked great.”

One grape grower even went as far as saying: “But across the gamut of fruit, the quality is there. This is a banner year. It’s a good thing for Oregon.”