Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/230154
affected. Late-ripening riesling, on the other hand, was on the vine into November in some northwestern areas of the state, as growers played chicken with frost. Fortunately, riesling (Michigan's most important white) is forgiv- ing, Sabbatini said, with a range of acceptable harvest parameters. Some remained on the vine into November and were better for it. Pinot noir for still wine and cabernet franc were much delayed, particularly in the northwest. "Growers were forced to wait and wait and wait," he said. "More than most years, growers had to be on top of canopy management and crop control." MISSOURI Winter was mild and spring cool in Missouri, and the season started several weeks late, said Jackie Harris, viticulture research specialist for the University of Missouri. The season was fairly dry, but not as much as the previous two vintages. That helped generate better Brix than the weather would have suggested. Some reds got to 24 °Brix, but depending on location, some stopped ripening at 20. The cooler season caused some unusual acid numbers in varieties such as Vignoles, suggesting to Harris that malic acid that would usually burn off hung around and threw off grape chemistry. Late in the season, Missouri growers encountered the invasive fruit fly spotted wing drosophila. But those who found it early were able to control it. Harvest was two to three weeks late, but wrapped up before November. TEXAS The season started badly and didn't improve in Texas. The High Plains were hammered with a series of late frosts in May, a month after frost risk normally ends. Temperatures in the low 20s took out primary and often secondary buds and damaged cordons and spurs. "If one frost didn't get you, the next one did," said Ed Hellman, professor of viticulture at Texas A&M University. The Hill Country of Central Texas, where winters are milder, fared no better. Vines emerged from winter to face a hail storm in early May that took a toll on some vineyards. Texas sunlight and heat make secondary buds more fruitful than in cooler areas. Good weather the rest of spring helped hasten flowerbud initiation and allowed growers to focus on shoots and canopy. The 58 V I N E YA R D & WINE RY MANAGEM ENT | Jan - Feb 2014 w w w. v wm m e d i a . c o m