2018/2019 Nova Scotia Wine Grape Bud Hardiness Report no. 8: February 4 – 6

A wine grape bud hardiness report is generated and distributed to the Grape Growers of Nova Scotia (GGANS) membership on a bi-weekly basis throughout the dormant season. The bi-weekly survey is performed on 3 vinifera cultivars (‘Chardonnay’, ‘Riesling’, ‘Pinot Noir’) and 2 hybrid cultivars (‘L’Acadie Blanc’, ‘Marquette’) and involves 10 grower collaborators for a total of 23 varietal blocks in total. Each report uses a table to show the latest low temperature exotherm (LTE) levels for the present and past weeks. The report also includes comments highlighting observations over the last reporting period, a plot showing the change in LTE values throughout the season, the historical 100 year minimum values and the present year’s minimum values. Three times throughout the season (early, middle, late) 11 “extra” varieties (‘Baco Noir’, ‘Chenin Blanc’, ‘Geisenheim’, ‘Leon Millot’, ‘Lucie Kuhlman’, ‘New York Muscat’, ‘Pinot Gris’, ‘Sauvignon Blanc’, ‘Seyval Blanc’, ‘Seyval Blanc’, ‘Vidal Blanc’, ‘Ortega’) from 22 additional varietal blocks are also reported.

Temperatures continue to cycle above and below the normal seasonal values with little impact on grape bud hardiness. Although the cold weather has been with us longer than it was last year, the observed minimum temperatures are similar to last year. So far, the lowest temperature observed at the Research Station in Kentville has been -16.0 °C on the 18th of January and we have observed temperatures as low as -18.6 ⁰C in some parts of the Annapolis Valley. Environment Canada’s long term forecast for the remainder of winter and early spring predict that temperatures should be near the normal seasonal values.