(Wines&Vines) - With the first releases from the 2011 vintage hitting shelves in the weeks ahead, winemakers are breathing a sigh of relief—and looking ahead. During a preview of the 2011 vintage hosted by the British Columbia Wine Institute earlier this week, veteran BC winemakers struck an optimistic note. While half of last season’s heat occurred from August onwards, making for something of a cliffhanger year, the resulting grapes were balanced. Many achieved phenolic ripeness prior to sugar levels cracking 20º Brix, an unheard-of phenomenon.