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With wildfires once again in the news in California wine country, grapes affected by smoke taint seems to be a concern among wine drinkers. How does it affect wine grapes that have not been harvested? How does smoke taint affect the taste of the wine? We will try to answer these questions.

Unharvested Grapes
Smoke taint, (considered rare) doesn’t always affect wineries and vineyards near a fire. Wind direction as well as how long the smoke from the wildfires lingers, play key factors. Unharvested grapes that have already gone through their ripening process are the most at risk.

Wine Taste
Although there is no risk to the health of the wine itself, it can create certain aroma in the wine that may not be pleasant. These aromas might include plastic or chemical smells, as well as wet cigar or ash smells.

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