How was 2007’s grape yield?

Riesling GrapesA story today in the paper described the illegal practice in France of adding extra sugar to compensate for lack of grapes got us asking how 2007's weather will affect BC wine.

Chaptalization, as it is known is a common, and legal, practice particularly in cooler climates like New York state and the Champagne region. But when sugar is being used to compensate for lack of fruit in Californian or Bordeaux wines, this is known as falsification.

Falsify, and expect the flatfoots to arrive in these places.

2007 was a tough year weather-wise in BC by any measure. Few long periods of heat, lots of cool patches all summer long, and virtually no Indian Summer to extend the harvest. Poor growing conditions results in low sugar in the grapes.

We'll be asking around what the grape yields of 2007 were like, what we can expect in terms of the 2007 vintages, and of course, sharing it with you on BC Wine Lover.

Author

  • Mike Klassen is a Vancouver city councillor, communications professional, and long-time advocate for British Columbia’s wine industry. He co‑founded BC Wine Lover in 2007 with his wife Stacey, sharing stories from their travels through the province’s wine regions and spotlighting the people and places that make B.C. wine distinctive.

    In 2015, Mike led the BC Wine Appellation Task Group, guiding a province‑wide consultation that produced recommendations—later endorsed by industry plebiscite—that strengthened B.C.’s appellation standards and helped establish today’s sub‑GIs.

    His writing has appeared in the Vancouver Sun, Huffington Post, and Daily Hive, blending history, policy insight, and personal experience. Alongside his work on Vancouver City Council, Mike continues to explore vineyards across the province, champion local producers, and celebrate the evolving culture of B.C. wine.