Why Grape Shatter Happens
April 10, 2008
Recently, we had a question from one of our readers - Ferhat, hailing from Istanbul, Turkey asked: Could you tell me why grape shatter happens please?
Ferhat, absolutely…
You see, small grapes have a tiny end on them which functions basically like a cap. As the grapes grow larger these caps fall off. But sometimes during a cool, wet spring… like how we are having right now in the southern U.S., a crop of grapes can fail to develop properly and this will lead to the cap at the end becoming very tough.
Now, when the warm weather of summer finally arrives and as the grape matures on the vine, it will begin to push up against this cap that is now very tough. The end result being is that instead of the cap falling off as it normally would, the grape actually shatters against the cap due to the pressure of being pressed up against it. When this occurs it can destroy whole yields and leads to what is known as a poor fruit set with bunches that only have a few grapes.
Grape shatter is a major concern that puts many vineyards at the mercy of the weather each and every year. Also, as a tid bit of wine trivia for you, grape shatter is known in French as Coulure. Click on that term and you will find some more info on the different ways that grape shatter can happen and the other problems that stem from it.
Ferhat, great question and I look forward to hearing more from you again along with our many readers out there that are curious about this beautiful and wonderful drink. Cheers!!
Coulure
March 24, 2008
Hey could you tell me what grape shatter is please? - Jeanie in Beaumont, TX
Grape shatter which is known as Coulure in French happens when a grape cluster does not fully mature. This is due from either the grapevine’s flowers not getting pollinated or that the berries fell off soon after they formed.
Coulure is triggered by periods of cold, cloudy, rainy weather or very high out-of-season temperatures and the condition is manifested in Spring. Varietals with high proclivity to couloure are Grenache, Malbec, Merlot, and Muscat Ottonel. Other causes of coulure may be vineyard conditions and practices, pruning too early or too severely, excessively fertile soils or overuse of fertilizers, and improper selection of root stocks or clones.
Coulure can also cause irregular bunches of grapes which are less compact than normal. These bunches are more sensitive for diseases. The yield of a vine with coulure will decrease substantially and is what is meant by the term “poor fruit set.”
See, this is why you should always be grateful for that perfect bottle of wine. Think of all the poor, poor souls in the past who literally had their hopes and dreams for lush moments shattered. Drink solemnly in remembrance of their loss. Amen.
Ullage
March 13, 2008
I was wanting to know if the ullage of a wine can be used to indicate quality? - Gwen in Waterville, ME
When you are looking at a bottle and deciding if it is something that you are wanting to invest in. The ullage of a bottle will tell you about the condition of the contents. As a rule the larger the ullage, the more space for oxygen within the bottle which can hasten the aging process. This term refers to the unfilled air space at the top of a bottle of wine, which in this case is essential to allow for the expansion of the wine as the temperature changes.
During the wine fermentation process, the wine breathes through the cork and this adds complexity to the aromas and flavor of the wine. But if the fill levels are lower than what is normally expected for the wine’s age, it can lead to the decrease in the value of the bottle. Now, for a wine up to 20 years of age, it’s ullage level should be in the neck. As for wines 20 to 40 years old, anything below top shoulder should be viewed in caution.
Here is a quick reference guide when you are checking out a bottle of your favorite wine.
Mid neck: A mid neck fill tells if a wine that has been kept well.
Base neck: A lot of bottles are filled to the base neck level. For older wines this level indicates exceptional storage conditions.
Top shoulder: A wine which is over 10 years old with a top shoulder fill should be considered acceptable. Older wines will only have a top shoulder fill if they have been stored well.
Mid shoulder: A mid shoulder fill is not unusual for wines over 50 years old, but it may suggest that the wine has not been stored in the best of conditions.
Low shoulder: A low shoulder fill level suggests that the wine has been held in poor storage conditions and is usually not considered to be drinkable.
Below shoulder: This is not seen very often and can indicate that the ullage has dropped below the shoulder into the main section of the bottle with a very high chance that the wine is not drinkable.
Gwen, you are now armed with the right knowledge to judge whether or not you should pick up that curious bottle of wine and take it home with you. Cheers!!
Wine Longevity
March 7, 2008
Hi, what different types of wine have good wine longevity? - Miriam in Farmington, NM
With all the talk about different types of wine that are specifically made for aging, most of the world’s wines are meant for immediate use. The rare ones that are crafted for this type of wine longevity require specialized storage at a constant 55F. This is way too cold for constant air conditioning and yet too warm for a refrigerator.
Can you imagine the electric bill after 25 + years? We have to recognize that wines of more than 100 years old, or even 50 in the vast majority of cases, are still going to be anything other than a fascinating piece of curiosity and that these are bought by people to be part of their collection.
However, an affordable wine which does have great wine longevity is Madeira. This strong wine was purposely made to survive while even improving during long ocean voyages to markets around the world. Madeira ranges from dry to very sweet and it will last for quite a long time, even under poor storage conditions.
Believe it or not, Madeira remains very affordable for an age worthy wine. They usually start from $20 to $50 for a recently produced bottle sold here in the states.
Here are a few types that offer the best wine longevity: Bordeaux, Burgundy and Rhones from France, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Syrah. Italian reds, dessert wines like Port, Sauternes and Rieslings.
So go buy a few bottles and put them away for that occasion when something from your past can greet you in the pleasure of good company.