The NWS has issued a frost warning for this evening. Below freezing temperatures can damage early spring shoots. According to the North Carolina Winegrape Growers Guide (I had found a Virginia version a few days ago but can’t find it now):
“Spring Frosts that occur after grape vines have broken bud and commenced shoot growth are not uncommon. Frosts and kill shoots and significantly reduce the fruit crop for the year. . . ”
It goes on to say that ” Spring Frosts are especially damaging in early budburst vinifera varieties like Chardonnay”.
The forecasts currently call for temperatures to be right at 32 F or slightly above. However, this forecast is for Charlottesville and it could be colder in the Vineyard regions.
Hopefully there will not be too much damage.
May 25th, 2009
[...] wise about the data. The Spring was largely normal and except for the possibility of a late freeze last week, the spring wine season in Albmarle County has progressed [...]