Bud break has happened in California and is happening as you read in Washington State and some of the other more northern appellations here in the States. Flowering has even occurred in some places so that means it is time to get our first glimpse of the coming 2013 vintage for the domestic wine grape crop and to take a look at some of the earliest releases from last year's production.

While much can happen between now and late August for the earliest varietals to be harvested and the end of October or early November for later ripening varieties, much can be learned from these first events of the growing season. In California the reports from grower John Balletto of Balletto Vineyards and owner/winemaker John Lancaster of Skylark Wine Company are very positive. Both indicated that the crop is about 2 weeks ahead of normal with no reports of "shatter" - the destruction of parts of the young grape clusters from heavy spring rains.

Lancaster indicated that the "set" or the start of the clusters is slightly smaller than last year which by historical standards was a very large crop. He attributes this to lower than normal winter rainfall in Northern California, and while there is no way to make up for the smaller set which leads to a smaller crop he did say that many growers are irrigating heavily this spring and early summer to build the water reserves in the vines, before cutting irrigation later in the season.

John Balletto is very excited about all of his vineyards both those owned by the estate and those he manages for others. In short his quote was "everything looks great" which is a more positive outlook than we received from John last year. Balletto spends more time in the vineyards he grows than any farmer we know in wine country, and his attention to all phases of the growing season is meticulous so we are confident that if anything was amiss we would hear it there first.

In corresponding with Gordy Vineri, co-owner/co-winemaker at Walla Walla Vintners, the report is equally positive! While flowering or bloom is still a bit away in these more northerly growing regions all looks positive on the weather front. No significant rain is expected and warm temperatures bode well for a good "set" and the ensuing crop.

The farming of wine grapes involves many risk factors throughout the summer, from heat spikes to unexpected rains, to the all important weather post verasion heading into harvest. Much can impact the quality and quantity of the harvest, but without a good start like we have had this year the challenges would only mount, so it is good news so far!

Many of the whites and dry ross produced domestically in 2012 have either been released or are coming soon. Of the ones we have tried all we can say is WOW After two very challenging years in 2010 and 2011 the quality across the board of the wines from last year we have tried is amazing.

Almost all are possessing of great acid providing for wines that finish firmly and pair easily and well with food. 2012 is one of the only vintages in our memory where the whites posses tremendous depth and layering of flavors while simultaneously maintaining clarity of flavors and great varietal and appellation accuracy in their expression. We understand that is a fair amount of "wine geek speak", but suffice it to say the "lion's share" of the white and pink wine we have tried is flat out delicious. As we always do we encourage you to stop by the shop and chat with us or seek out your favorite wine professional to identify the bottles that will best fit your taste. As wine consumers though you can choose domestically produced wines from the 2012 vintage with confidence that you will find wine you like.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email 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 is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com). You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.