By Jim Boyce Harvest is upon us in China and I asked some of the nation’s more interesting Chardonnay makers what is happening in their fields. From west to east… Lilian Carter, winemaker at relatively new operation Wangzhong in the Xinjiang region, says the harvest started this week and is on a similar schedule as last year. “The quality is up on last year with better sugar, acid and flavor synergies,” she says. “Last year, the crop was light and a little exposed. This year the acid retention has been better due to milder conditions and a later start to the growing season.” This is the third vintage at Wangzhong, which bottles its wine under the label Tiansai / Skyline. Brett Richardson, head of viticulture at Pernod Ricard-owned operation Domaine Helan Mountain in the Ningxia region, says the Chardonnay harvest should start in the next week or two. He expects quality to remain on par with last year although he says “the birds are giving us grief this year!” Helan Mountain includes a Chardonnay in four of its ranges, with the Special Reserve, made under the direction of winemaker Craig Grafton, getting especially good reviews. Lee Yean Yean, production manager at Grace Vineyard in Shanxi province, says harvest is on the usual schedule. [...]