Shorter lines, the less hustle and bustle at the hotels, and fewer highway travellers make the fall a prime season to visit wine country to take in some of the many changes that have swept across the industry since the start of COVID-19 back in 2020. Of course, you still need reservations when you show up at a hotel, restaurant or winery, but for the most part, you will be meeting people prepared for your arrival and ready to make your visit more enjoyable.
If it is not already underway, harvest at sparkling wine producers is moments from kickoff. A two-step fermentation method is required to make traditional sparkling wine — one inside the winery, the other inside the bottle, and it all requires a high-acid base obtained from early-picked grapes to commence. After that, phenolic-ripe grapes will flood wineries and “crush,” as it is better known today, will be full-on for the next two and half months across B.C.
The dance begins in the vineyards. Winemakers and viticulturists walk between the rows of vines daily to taste and assess the ripeness of the crop. Then, the grapes are analyzed in a laboratory but only to confirm what has already been physically tasted. In days gone by, the decision to pick meant the entire vineyard. Today it could be a row, one side of a row, or a designated block.
As a tourist, you’ll know if the harvest is on by the smell of fermenting grapes in the air. However, if you are up early enough, you could witness people and machines picking grapes in vineyards all over the valley. While most wineries are not equipped to accept large numbers of visitors during the harvest, some will invite you to experience the crush up close. Crush pad activities can be a lot of fun to observe but be sure to be on your best behaviour and stay out of the crew’s way.
alcoholawareness Choose Alcohol free wines and beverages! Alcohol is a carcinogen! Health risks increase with any amount, including Cancer! 'Retweet to share-The Vancouver Sun,for British Columbian's 'awareness!
Causes cancer, so there is that.