European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 6, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                F-4 s waiting for the 86 Vintage v by Allen Oale Olson trying chm Alic patterns in Europe play a decisive role in he annual wino harvests. The Higgel single Factor in determining Quality of wine is ripeness of grapes and ripeness depends on a combination of Sunshine and rain the Lormer doing especially important in Lale summer and fall. It is impossible to make a Broad assessment of the Quality of any Given Vintage Lor Allol Germany. Ice alone Lor All of Europe. Yet. As wine producers begin bottling last fall s Harvest they look at Quality Overall to plan marketing strategies advertising campaigns and Price lists. To buy or nol to buy 1986 wines is a major question Lor come mrs especially with declining Dollar Exchange Rales and the answer in by jul Means bid with some care indications aft thai a jury Region in Germany and f Ranee had a generally successful Harvest 1936 was nol an easy Vonc year Lor most German growers exceptionally hoi weather in August and Early september made possible the production of a Large Quantity of  the treasures of the German wine a ado but also the most expensive of its wines and hardly the wines Ilia nil in Large enough quantities to Suppon the Trade. Thai same August Tun cooked a great Many grapes inducing a tendency o become overripe even to rot causing serious Vini Licarion problems sudden and occasionally violent september blooms knocked grapes Oil Iho vines and Many harvesters Ciru Lorod to Lorage grapes from the ground Overall however the weather slayed Wam Inlo november and prolonged the picking season in most regions thus assuring a higher than average percentage of Ripe grapes so the reports while somewhat mixed indicate a Good Harvest of prices comparable to Hose of Las  the biggest concern especially among big name producers who depend on exports is the Exchange Rale. Those who pit ii in Kowhal older vintages should vat a out for 19b5 and 1983 wines the in still available arc of excellent Quality und prices arc holding the line both a Cna i harvests. Andrj most producers Rinir i move them out to make room for the if was 98j yielded a Small Harv Cal of ii i Raric Quality and thai Vintage is gone Aii i  the growing year in Alsace Star cd vary slowly but mate up Tor in rapidly will an exceptionally  summer. The september rain  old and Lorre Lial but not violent and desk Mcilvo they caused some of i m that dried out with the Brilliant Star Mph of Lalo september and Early Oci Oscr. Tho Only so Nous problem was a plague of Cal pillars quickly dealt with by pesticides. Prices in Alsace will be up somewhat but with the franc holding fairly steady against the Dollar thai should i pose a problem. The 1986 wines of Alsace should be excellent assessing the 1986 Burgundy Harvest is very difficult in some parts of Burgundy the Wea Herat Harvest time was splendid and Lor those growers who waited Tittl Lale september the results were quilt Good those we 10 snarl of picking Early however got caught in cold penetrating Rains and Only a Greal Deal of lasting experience and research with reliable dealers can reveal which growers wore most successful. With care buyers will find splendid 19b6 red and White burgundies bul nol Lill Spring and summer of 1983 it always takes a couple of years in the barrel to bring out rite ties in Burgundy wines and the 1bbg wines May require still Moro Taar Rol age. In any Case those wines will not be cheap. Nature has smiled on Bordeaux these past Low years. Summer became warm even hot fall remained so. In spite of two Days of terrific Rains the Harvest was done under Posi live conditions. 19b6 will see the largest Ever production of line red wines a Harbinger normally of Good things to happen to prices unfortunately however Bordeaux merchants Are not inclined to sacrifice Price bul this year they seem to be lacing the reality that California is indeed comp Ellivo in Fine red wine production and Hal americans Are wary of speculating with Uncertain Exchange Rales. None Helass Iho 1986 Bordeaux appear Worth wailing for. Especially those from the communes of Margaux is Julion. Is. Emilion and Pomeroy like their rivals in Burgundy Bordeaux reds need a couple of years in barrel before Boll log Champsi Jne experienced another High Quality  in 19bg. Five of the past in years have produced Large harvests and prices should nol increase. In fact Champagne makers Are talking of Stigh decree in j to deplete stocks and Allsot declining  and Dollar values so Ini. Its is still talk. Because mor i wine people recall 1hoso Iraq Ucol disaster harvests of the 1960s and 70s when Toa yields and poor Quality caused considerable lors id Champn Cine Pitcl Urb a lol can happen Bihe Limo the Jii Flo is actually Liol lied and often especially with led nines a lol of surprises can occur in tin Totolo Good and Harj ripeness of grapes is the biggest single Factor in determining qualify of wine. Sallile Hutu every wine Region in Germany and France tied a generally successful 86 Harvest monday. Apri 6, 1987 the stars and stripes Page 13