Evapotranspiration and Irrigation---Part 2

The heat wave continues. We have a smallish garden on our land but until this year no water source other than hauling water in a 40 gallon plastic container. Now that my husband has constructed a 275 gallon water tank using an IBC (intermediate bulk container) that he purchased used, I am watering our garden with abandon! I think that my previous problems with leathering of my tomato leaves had everything to do with my watering schedule (or lack thereof).
What does this have to do with grapevines, you ask. With the heat wave continuining, irrigating the vineyard may become necessary. The proper timing and amount of irrigation is critical in the production of quality grapes. The following information has been summarized from an excellent article called Irrigation Scheduling of Grapevines with Evapotranspiration Data written by Ed Hellman, Viticulture Extension Specialist.¹

Determining When to Irrigate:
• Know soil characteristics to understand moisture holding capacity
• Cover crops can impact vineyard moisture depletion
• Monitor grapevine water status

Determining How Much Water to Apply
• Use the Water Requirement Formula to calculate how much water is needed: [ETo X Kc] divided by the irrigation system efficiency
• Get the reference evapotranspiration date (ETo) for your area
• The crop coefficient (Kc) can be estimated
• The system efficiency is:
  • Drip irrigation between 0.85 to 0.95 (i.e., 85-95% efficient)
  • Sprinkler irrigation between 0.60 to 0.75
  • Furrow irrigation between 0.40 - 0.50

The article Irrigation Scheduling of Grapevines with Evapotranspiration Data, which is 6 pages in length is a concise explanation of how to calculate the water requirements of your vineyard including an example calculation.
In addition, evapotranspiration information can be obtained from both the Texas and California sites. Unfortunately, for us in the Northeast, I haven't come across a similar ET site:
Link to the TexasET Network
Link to the California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS)
Another article that can be found online is: Irrigation of Winegrapes in California, Larry E. Williams, Practical Winery & Vineyard Journal, November/December 2001.

1. Irrigation Scheduling of Grapevines with Evapotranspiration Data, Ed Hellman, AgriLIFE Extension, Texas A&M System.

2001 Le Vieux Donjon

We had such a good time on Sunday celebrating, that we thought we would continue the celebration in the middle of the week and got together last evening, even though for some, the next day was a "school day". The meal was a marinated grilled pork, three bean salad, fresh from the oven biscuits, watermelon mojito and the featured wine a 2001 Le Vieux Donjon Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
To my nose, there was a little bit of reductive aroma which quickly blew off upon swirling. This eleven year old wine was still youthful with an inky purple color and the flavors of black cherries and black raspberries. The wine paired perfectly with the meal. The wine is a blend of 75% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvedre, 5% Cinsault. We've come a long way from the Rosemont GSM that we used to love to drink and thanks to the generosity of our friends, we can partake of this Rhone GSM!

Winegrowing in Eastern America by Lucie Morton

I recently read a book written by Lucie Morton and published in 1985 called Winegrowing in Eastern America. Although it was published in 1985 I found it to be an excellent reference on the history of grape growing, early pioneers of fine wine, grape varieties including a comprehensive description of hybrid grape varieties, and a state-by-state review of winemaking efforts between 1880 and 1980. The second half of the book takes you through a crash course in site selection, grape vine diseases, parts of the grape vine, as well as how to prune and train the vines. There is also a section on winemaking and the economics of winemaking. Her book contained the first reference that I have seen on how many grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine, which I reproduce below (remember, you can always click on the images to see it in a larger resolution):

I enjoyed reading the book and learning about the various hybrid varieties and their parentage. It is worthwhile to read about the pioneers of viticulture in eastern America. There is so much to learn! On the cover of the book, it mentions that Lucie Morton translated and adapted Pierre Galet's classic A Practical Ampelography: Grapevine Identifcation.

2010 Exultet Chardonnay The Blessed

It was our friend's birthday last night and we all gathered to celebrate. The wine choice for the evening was the 2010 Exultet Chardonnay from Prince Edward County. Sometimes, you don't need to deconstruct the wine into aroma, flavor, color and mouthfeel, you just need to be hedonistic! In the case of the Blessed Chardonnay, it was unanimous, everyone loved it! One of our friends said that even without food, it was delicious.
It was very pale lemon in color, crisp with well balanced acidity and minerality. My husband explained where the wine came from, no, not Prince Edward Island, although it is an island in Lake Ontario, it's from Prince Edward County. He also explained how they have to bury their canes in the winter. I was remembering our visit to Exultet, and recalling how Gerry and his sons Mario and Joseph were in the winery to welcome us and let us taste their wonderful creations. Oh, and by the way, this bottle of Chardonnay brought home gold at the 2012 Ontario Wine Awards, it's easy to taste why!