On 12 Feb 2005 14:58:57 -0800, "DaleW" > wrote:

>Art, my guess is that Ed and Bill nailed it. Not hard to imagine unripe
>fruit in MI (I know in some parts it gets quite hot in summer, but my
>impression is cool fall rolls in early). Now in Tuscany, normally
>ripening isn't hard. But in 2002 there were hail storms which damaged
>the crop, followed I think by rains. Probably only vintners who were
>willing to be merciless about grape selection (with the attendant loss
>of volume) made acceptable products (and I doubr anyone made stellar
>ones).

Thanks to all. It gives me something on which to hang the terms
"harsh" or "hard and angular". I will look for that greeness next
time.

True, it is tough to ripen vinifera here in MI. It can be done if the
weather cooperates and one is willing to risk picking near the end of
October. The lake can keep the freezes away if a site is close enough
to it. Still, I wonder if wines made here will ever be more than a
curiosity at best.


Art Schubert
Traverse City, Michigan