Wine Commission Survey Request Pt 1

Wine Commission Survey Request Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson. Washington's wineries and wine grape growers are being asked to participate in survey to help identify the most pressing needs in viticulture and enology.

The Wine Commission's Research Program Manager, Melissa Hansen says it will help them prioritize research needs ...

MELISSA HANSEN ... "It's everything from research wine makers can use to better manage fermentation times, better manage the tannins that Washington state is known for, to out in the vineyard. There's a range of projects that are funded from today's problems of things like powdery mildew resistance, nematodes in the soil, to more long-term problems of trying to manage grapevine leaf-roll disease and we have a new emerging disease called red-blotch that is a big, big problem."

Hansen says the scope of wine research is broad and necessary for the good of Washington wines ...

MELISSA HANSEN ... "People always think of, oh, the laboratories and beakers and microscopes, but research for viticulture and enology is really hands-on information that the growers can use and it's Washington state specific tools that the industry needs. All that points toward trying to improve the overall wine quality."

Hansen says results of the survey will guide recommendations from the Commission's Wine Research Advisory Committee on how to use funding of more than $1-million in 2017-2018.

Tune in tomorrow for more on research projects that have helped create the state's reputation for producing quality wines.

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