As we approach the new 2011 growing season for wine grapes in the Northern Hemisphere we are getting a glimpse at some potential challenges for the coming year and we are also starting to learn more as wines from previous vintages continue to be released. We cannot overstate how much we are anticipating tasting the first releases of white wines from the troubled 2010 vintage in the United States. Unfortunately though, we have yet to see any of the wine in the market.

The 2010 vintage was affected by a cold, short and rainy growing season followed by a problematic harvest especially in California where a combination of extreme heat and early rains really "hammered" several varietals, notably including Chardonnay. We will know soon and will report as soon as we have an opportunity to taste the "juice."

A preview of 2011 shows there may be problems on the horizon for that vintage as well. While we are just starting to see "bud break" in the vineyards of California it is too early for the Northwest, but there have been reports of some troubling signs. In the appellations of Central Washington and southern Idaho the culprit appears to be the early cold snap that occurred last November. Grape vines "set" their bloom for the next year after the previous year's harvest and it appears that the severe cold snap last November occurred before the vines could "harden off" their bloom for this year. This process involves the vines slowly acclimating to the cold weather dormant state while the vine slowly insulates itself for the coming winter harshness. Last fall though the hard freeze came so early that the vines did not have an opportunity to complete this cycle, potentially impacting the size of the crop for this year.

In California they are experiencing an incredibly wet March, and likely a wet start to April as well. The national news is replete with stories of mud and rock slides in Northern California from these rains. If this rain continues into the period as the vines bud and flower (which happens much earlier in California) it could result in "shatter," the term used to describe when buds and flowers are broken by the rain drops affecting the size of the crop.

Like the 2010 vintage all we can do is wait and see.

We continue to see great new releases from the epic 2007 vintage. Recently we had the opportunity to sample the 2007 Fuse red blend from the same producer as the 2007 Edge Cabernet that so many folks here in this market enjoyed. The negotiant bottler of these brands has done it again with the Fuse bottle, quite simply a delicious wine at a reasonable price of $20.

Whether they be from California or Washington state and Idaho, the 2007's we taste are great. We are now starting to see too some releases of red wines from the 2008 vintage. We recently read that for one of our favorite California producers, Joseph Phelps, the combination of the 2007 and 2008 vintages may be the best back to back years of Cabernet ever made by this storied winery. After having had the 2007 this is truly exciting news for us as wine enthusiasts since tasting the 2007 Insignia from Phelps was one of the truly epiphanal moments in our wine consuming careers.

Similarly wines of the 2008 vintage from Washington are showing very nicely. They do seem a little more "tight" in their youth, which is not unusual for this appellation. While the wines we have tried are showing great potential and are enjoyable it is tough to suggest they can be as good as those of 2007. Our advice for consumers - continue to grab as much of the 2007's as you can and selectively do the same with 2008 as you find ones you like.

We will continue to keep you updated on the new years as the wines are released and as always stop by the shop or ask your favorite wine professional for options to try from these years.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can e-mail George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of The North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.