ANYONE WHO has visited a vineyard while on holiday will have, at some point, considered what a wonderful way of life the winemaker enjoys. Of course, we realise that it is very hard work, but the obvious rewards and the healthy lifestyle involved in making wine are there for all to see. However, perhaps not so visible or apparent are the myriad things that might go wrong in producing each year’s vintage.
The most obvious element (quite literally) to contend with can be the capricious weather that may either make or break a vintage. Indeed, when wine critics and professionals talk of a ‘fine’ vintage,
