The 2009 season starts cold and dry..

[uncle tom]

The Symington's Douro Insider report reveals the coldest November at Pinhao since their records began over 40 years ago, with the previous four months also colder than average.

Meanwhile, rainfall has also been well below seasonal norms.

The current forecast is for clear skies and hard frosts - with the soil relatively dry, this should serve to greatly reduce the population of pests.

They worry about the lack of groundwater, which will certainly spoil the yield prospects for 2009 if the drought continues, although drought affected years do have some history for making good, lasting, VP's.

The article also contains an informative piece about pruning methods.

I'm not adding a link to this, as the Sym's site is slightly cross-wired at the moment..

Tom

[Andy Velebil]

It has been very cold here in L.A. recently too. About a week ago or so my entire front yard and house was iced over. The trunk (aka boot for you all ) was also frozen closed and it took 5 minutes to get it open. I don't recall the last time I've seen it that cold at my house.

[uncle tom]

It's bloody cold here too..

..what happened to global warming?

Tom

[RonnieRoots]

No matter what conditions in the Douro will be this year, it would be quite unique if 2009 produces a crop worth of a full declaration. Can't think of too many really good '9's.

[JacobH]

Current Nearest Observations:
sunny -3°C
Northerly Wind (6 mph)
Relative Humidity (%): 78,
Pressure (mB): 1028, Rising,
Visibility: Good

Yes, if there are any Americans reading this, I know you get real winters...minus 20 with 12' of snow...but there is a reason why we live on a rock in the North Atlantic drift!

Tom, will a lack of groundwater have an affect on yields so early in the year?

[uncle tom]

it would be quite unique if 2009 produces a crop worth of a full declaration

In two centuries, they have never pitched fully for a '9' declaration..

..but there can always be a first time..

Tom, will a lack of groundwater have an affect on yields so early in the year?

Not if the clouds gather, and make up for lost time. I doubt the situation is that serious at present, but if the next three months fail to correct the averages, there could be some adverse consequences.

Tom

[uncle tom]

Judging by the Vila Real weather forecasts for this month, concerns about drought have probably diminished considerably; with rain having been forecast for most days.

It remains to be seen how much rain actually fell at Pinhao, however.

Tom

[RonnieRoots]

I've heard reports of snow and cold weather in the Pinhao valley.

[g-man]

I've read in a few wine maker journals, that grape strain caused by weather is one of the best ways to concentrate the grapes as the vines themselves will undergo a natural pruning. Esp in times of drought, the cold on the other hand, might just kill everything.

crossing my fingers for 09

[Andy Velebil]

This time of the year the cold will not harm the vines in anyway as they are still dormant. Even an early frost that destroyed much of the early bud breaks, much like what the California wine region experienced this past year, was not a total loss. As the vines can and do push out a second bud break when that happens, which happened here. So far 2008 in California actually turned out to look like quite a good year, although slightly smaller yields. Vines are quite robust and it is way to early to be saying things are bad already.

[uncle tom]

Lovely spring weather in the Douro at the moment, but our best information source seems to have stalled.

The Symington site (http://www.thevintageportsite.com) still has it's links cross wired, and does not seem to have been updated for at least two months.

If anyone has Johnny Symington's email address, they might like to give him a little nudge, and tell him that his efforts are appreciated!

Tom

[DRT]

Tom,

The last few weeks seem to be the time of year when the shippers travel the globe pressing the flesh at various wine fairs. Perhaps this is a casualty of a busy time? I don't have JS's email address but I think you can send him messages via the website.

Derek

[uncle tom]

As far as I know, none of the Symington web sites have a 'contact us' email address, and the 'Ask the expert' section of the vintageportsite has not been attended to for some time.

Tom

[DRT]

It was the "Ask the Expert" function I was thinking of

[uncle tom]

There was an obvious way of getting Johnny's email address - ask them.

I did, and have now dropped him an email.

Tom