Quebec ice wine producers worried about mild weather

December is off to a warm start this year and that's bad news for ice wine producers like Denise Lavoie.

Lavoieowns LeDomainedesSalamandres, a vineyard inHemmingford, Que. situated about 70 kilometres south of Montreal.

"Since we didn't get any cold, right now our grapes are starting to dehydrate in the field so that's not very good," she said.

We really have to have -8 C for us to harvest the grapes.- DeniseLavoie, owner ofLeDomainedesSalamandres vineyard

Ice wine is a dessert wine that is made by pressing frozen grapes.

"We really have to have -8 C for us to harvest the grapes and crush themwhen they'refrozen," Lavoie said, adding that the grapes are drying out in the meantime.

"There won't be a lot of juice...it'll be a smaller harvest," Lavoie said, adding that she is still uncertain whether she will be able to make ice wine at all.

"Since the winter isn't starting, it's a big question mark over our heads becauseice wine is a product that's a very high quality."

Temperatures this month have been unusually mild. Daytime highs have been above zero every day,sometimes even close to double-digitsacross southern Quebec.Overnight lows have beenhovering around the freezing mark.

Nighttime temperatures should normally be around -10C for this time of year.

"We are still waiting hoping that the cold weather arrives," Lavoie said.