Lake Champlain Valley Region
Wine and Grapes in the Lake Champlain Valley
By Rob McDowell
Purple Gate Vineyard
CLIMATE
Despite perceptions, the Lake Champlain Valley is one of the drier and sunnier areas in the Northeast due to the “rain shadow” of the Adirondacks. Cold in our region is due to factors of latitude, altitude, and proximity to major climatic buffers such as large bodies of water and warm ocean currents.
Although the Lake Champlain Valley is reasonably far north, roughly between 44 and 45 degrees north latitude, about the same as Burgundy and Bordeaux in France, and has no major moderating ocean current buffering, it is of relatively low altitude. According to the low water datum, Lake Champlain is 92 feet above sea level.
In terms of USDA hardiness zones, the valley is mostly Zone 4, with a little Zone 5 near the lake, and Zone 3 at higher altitudes in the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. This is compared to Zone 6 in the Finger Lakes, Lake Erie, and the Hudson Valley, and Zone 7 for Long Island .
There are a range of soils from sand to clay and differences in the nuances of sites. Planting density, training systems, and vineyard management play to the strengths and weaknesses of particular cultivars.
Another factor in
growing grapes is “growing degree days” (GDD), which describes the
heat accumulation above 50 degrees Fahrenheit during the growing
season ((average of daily high and daily low temperature)-50
degrees). The GDD indicates the potential heat available for
ripening grapes. A GDD summation of less than 2500 indicates a
relatively cool region, between 2500 and 3500 a moderate (and to
some optimum) region, and above 3500 a hotter region. The Lake
Champlain Valley averages between 1900 and 2400 GDD, which is a good
year in Burgundy or the Rhine.
COLD HARDY GRAPES
The real magic in the Lake Champlain Valley is the
serendipitous fit of grapes to vineyards. The cold hardy hybrid
crosses of Vinifera, the European wine grape, and the hardier, more
disease resistant American grape species thrive in this region.
These hybrids capable of producing grapes in the Lake Champlain
Valley are of great winemaking potential.
High sugars, deep
flavors, and crisp acidity combine into outstanding wine. One of the
great advantages of the cold hardy hybrids is their unique
character. Their flavors result in wines that are often quite
different than the usual fare from California, Australia, and
Europe. This translates into a palette of flavors that are
refreshing in a world tired of the same old Merlot and Chardonnay.
And, our wines are distinctly local; they come from this land of
ancient mountains, crisp sun and air, and deep cobalt waters.
REGIONAL HISTORY
There is little
recent history of grape growing in the Lake Champlain Valley. The
industry began in the late '90's with the establishment of Snow
Farm Vineyard in South Hero, Vermont followed by Shelburne Vineyard
in Shelburne, Vermont. On the New York shore, Stonehouse Vineyard
became the first licensed winery in the region in 2006
(?). Now, there are a dozen wineries in the Lake Champlain Valley in Vermont
and four licensed wineries on the New York shore, with a number of
others planned. Vineyard acreage has also increased from small trial
plots to larger production plantings, with more vines going in
yearly.
In 2005, a cold hardy grape variety trial was planted at the Cornell
Baker Farm in Willsboro, New York. It consists of 25 varieties of
grapes ranging from older French-American hybrids to the newer
hybrid varieties from the University of Minnesota and Cornell
University. The trial, managed by Kevin Iungerman of the Cornell
Cooperative Extension Small Fruit Program, has received much
regional attention. It has served as a reference vineyard for
standard commercial growing practices and has been a valuable tool
for training new growers. For many, it has been an inspiring
resource of what is possible in cold climate viticulture.
There is much speculation about what grapes might become the “signature” varieties in the Lake Champlain Valley. The synergy between the grower, site, climate, and winemaker coalesce in the bottle, expression the character of each. Join us in this journey of creating a new tradition.
Pruning Workshop
Saturday April 16, 2011 at Hid-In-Pines Vineyard
2:00PM - 5:00 PM - Free Wine Tasting after.
Lake Champlain Wines is pleased to announce a pruning workshop will take place at 2:00 PM at Hid-In-Pines Vineyard at 456 Soper Street Morrisonville, NY 12962
For more information call Rob McDowell 518-335-4981.