Californian fires get under control

Californian fires are under control but the effects of the fire are yet to be felt in the wine regions.

Fires in Kincade, Sonoma, USA were whipped up by strong winds and have threatened towns and wineries. But fears that they could destroy wineries and vines have not materialised, as the winds dropped, allowing firefighters to get the blaze under control.

But fire is not the only damage, smoke from the flames can get absorbed by grapes, giving wines a particularly poor taste. Fires are always a risk in the dry parts of California and Australia, but it is the smoke damage that can't always be seen but which can have a much greater damaging effect.