The trend towards producing more red wine grape varieties continues, with production today of white varieties only slightly higher than reds. Fifteen years ago, production of white varieties outnumbered reds by more than three to one. The trend toward red, a result of market demand and potential for higher returns, does not come without some concerns, according to Dr. Raymond Folwell, Washington State University agricultural economist. Some of the new red varieties like Sangiovese are very vigorous and fruitful and present ripening and winter hardiness challenges. Some growers had difficulty ripening Cabernet Sauvignon despite the mild weather last fall. “The […]