In Maryland as well as Northern Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, we are experiencing a stinkbug invasion. On sunny days, these insects that are aptly named can cover screens. The stinkbugs do like grapes and present a challenge to harvesters and winemakers this fall. When hand harvesting one can easily shoo them away. However they can locate the lugs and settle in amongst the grapes. They may also hide within a cluster of grapes and may not be noticed by a harvester. Mechanical harvesting may indeed collect stinkbugs.

What happens if they make it to the winery? If the winery has a sorting table, observant sorters can remove them. Otherwise it is on to the destemmer, crusher, press and fermentation bin. According to Wines and Vines, Dr. Joe Fiola, extension specialist in viticulture and small fruit at Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland determined that it only takes five stinkbugs in a 25-pound lug of grapes to affect the aromas and flavors of the juice. Increase that number to ten stinkbugs per lug and it is very noticeable.

Of course one will have to wait and see what the effect will be on the wine. Having smelled stinkbugs, I won’t relish the aroma in a wine.

Cheers,
Terry