A vineyard doesn’t have to catch fire to lose its harvest. Sometimes, the greatest damage arrives on the wind. When we think of wildfires destroying vineyards, we imagine blackened grapevines, scorched earth and entire rows of plants reduced to ashes. But there is another, less visible danger. One that can affect vineyards many kilometres away […]
Smoke Taint in Wine: Definition, Causes and Effects Smoke taint is a wine fault caused by the absorption of smoke-derived chemical compounds into grapes during the growing season. It can produce undesirable smoky, ashy, burnt or medicinal aromas and flavours in the finished wine. The condition occurs primarily when vineyards experience smoke exposure from wildfires, […]
Portugal, known for its breathtaking landscapes and sprawling vineyards, has faced severe wildfires in recent years. This past season, several regions saw devastating fires, and the situation grew even more critical when public water supplies and electricity failed. People were left with little to no means of defending their properties. Those relying on electric pumps […]