With budbreak, another growing season begins

Philippines Wine Shop reports news about wine: With budbreak, another growing season begins
March 4, 2011
As winter draws to a close, grapegrowers work tirelessly to prepare their vineyards for the 2011 growing season — pruning, tying, mowing and managing winter rainfall to limit erosion. And now, as we turn the corner toward spring, mustard can be seen flourishing amongst the vines as Napa Valley’s vineyards come to life following their winter dormancy.
With the emergence of tender green shoots on vines across the valley, the arrival of spring conditions brings with it the promise of another great vintage. It is an exciting time for us in the vineyard.
The growth cycle of the grapevine begins with bud break in March, when the soil begins to dry and becomes warm, awakening the vine to begin to push water up from its root system. Tiny buds on the vine, formed the prior summer, start to swell, eventually growing to become delicate shoots. With clear days and cold nights, however, there is also the threat of frost damage for these new shoots.
Growing premium winegrapes is an unpredictable business and every harvest year has its own unique set of challenges and opportunities for improvement. 2010 presented a cool summer growing season, punctuated by late summer heat that resulted in some crop damage due to sunburn of exposed fruit on the vine. This, on top of the extremely difficult market environment for wine grapes in 2010, places a great deal of importance on the quality and profitability of the 2011 harvest for Napa Valley grapegrowers and all of the Napa businesses that depend on a thriving wine industry.
The unseasonably warm weather in January, with its relatively high temperatures and lack of rainfall, has aroused some concern on the part of grapegrowers that our vineyards might emerge from their winter slumber prematurely, increasing the likelihood of damage to tender new growth from frost. In temperate growing regions like the Napa Valley, some early-budding grape varieties can be at risk for premature bud break, making the young shoots vulnerable to frost damage when they are exposed to below freezing temperatures on cold spring mornings.
In order to protect vineyards from frost damage, growers are actively preparing by ensuring frost protection systems are operational and by mowing cover crops to allow for necessary air flow to prevent damage from frost.
Frost systems employed in the vineyard to protect our vines from damage include sprinklers or wind machines, both of which prevent cold air from settling on the vines. The objective of these systems is to protect the delicate shoots and allow them to grow, flower and fruit in the late spring, ultimately ripening through the summer months for the fall harvest.
During frost season, which lasts from roughly early March to early May, there can be sleepless nights.
The risk of losing one’s entire crop from a few freezing nights can be stressful. As grapegrowers, we understand that frost machines can be noisy for neighbors, and most growers strive to be good neighbors. Growers near the urban zones make extra efforts to communicate with neighbors about frost season and what best practices they are implementing on their property.
Machines should be well-serviced and operated only during the hours necessary to protect their crop against frost. As an industry that values our agriculture and open space, patience and understanding by all is appreciated as vital frost protection tools are enlisted to protect vineyards and Napa’s precious crop.
The return of cold and rainy weather is a welcome sign of return to a more normal winter pattern for Napa Valley grapegrowers. The cool temperatures and moisture will help ensure that the vineyards don’t emerge prematurely from their winter dormancy. But we know that soon the buds will break and we’ll be on our way towards another Napa Valley harvest. The vineyard floors will be carpeted in cover crops, planted to invigorate the soil, balance the nutrition of the vines, provide habitat for beneficial pests, and make the landscape even more beautiful. We all hope for a good year this year and to raising a glass together come October when the grapes are picked. Here’s to a fruitful 2011 harvest season, and to our local treasure, the Napa County Agricultural Preserve.
Source: http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/food-and-cooking/wine/article_7fd2e82a-40af-11e0-8614-001cc4c002e0.html

Although the Philippines is not known for being the wine capital of Asia, Clark Pampanga is the most frequently visited destination for wine lovers in Cebu, Angeles City and Manila to shop for some good vintage wine. The famous wine shop outside Manila called Clark Wine Center is the largest wine shop in Philippines which offers over 2000 selections of fine vintage wine from all wine regions, vintages spanning over 50 years covering all price ranges.

This wine shop in Clark is highly recommended as one of the best places to buy wine in Pampanga. Clark Freeport is just outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center. Visitors buy wine in Manila and Pampanga should not miss stopping at this wine shop for a few bottles of fine vintage wines to bring home.

Established in 2002, YATS WINE CELLARS is a wholly-owned business unit of Hong Kong-based Yats International which owns and operates resort, wine shops, wine bars and fine-dining restaurant properties in Clark Freeport in The Philippines. YATS WINE CELLARS caters to a clientele of discerning wine lovers from all over the world. Besides a good selection of wine for everyday enjoyment, YATS offers a unique selection of aged vintage wines made available to wine enthusiasts at remarkably affordable prices. Vintages span over a century and the selection of old- and new-world wines covers all major wine regions.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.
Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

http://www.YatsWineCellars.com