Hey, Mother Nature, enough rain already!

I know we need rain to keep the rivers flowing, the fire risk down and the lawns green but our winemakers have had enough and they need lots of bright sun and fresh breezes to keep the mould and rot away from the grapes.

This year's grape crop is looking fantastic in virtually every vineyard I have visited but, as harvest is due to get underway in earnest in about three weeks, we need sunshine to make sure the grape quality and flavour profiles are not compromised.

There are two key problems with rain at this point in the vineyard life cycle; first, too much water can dilute the flavours that are so important to New Zealand wine and second, vineyards are exposed to disease and rot development.

Moist, humid weather conditions are perfect for encouraging rot - something we definitely do not want. Grape growers can use several low-impact sprays to minimise damage but, as most sprays have withholding periods before a crop can be harvested, the balance between spraying, not spraying and harvest is starting to get a little delicate.

Nelson vineyard owners tell me that they have been proactive with good vineyard management and they should be okay but, in some regions, people are already suggesting flavours may not be as intense as they would like and vineyard owners are reporting low levels of rot and mildew.

I am sure that if Mother Nature plays her part and provides lots of sun and cool, drying breezes we are headed for a great vintage in 2009.

I've been drinking

Kina Beach 2008 Merlot Rose - $22 At the Nelson Wineart Degustation Dinner in support of the Suter last weekend, we had this wine with a trio of salmon prepared by Seifried Estate Restaurant chef Horst Wellmeyer. It proved to be a fantastic pairing. Flavours are dry and spicy rather than sweet strawberries and cream. The acidity and spice balanced the natural oiliness of the salmon. This is an outstanding, well structured rose.

Anchorage 2008 Riesling - $17 First Fossil Ridge Rose now Anchorage Riesling. This is the latest Nelson wine to achieve a fantastic result five stars and "best buy" in Cuisine magazine. Winemaker Justin Papich has crafted a low alcohol wine (8.5 per cent) that is bursting with fresh citrus flavours balanced with lively acidity and all wrapped around a fine minerality. Simply stunning.

Kina Beach Wines ... a taste of our place!