Harvest in Germany Begins
By: DWIThe harvest of the 2010 vintage has just begun in Germany's wine regions. Picking of the early ripening varieties for the vinification of the popular light wines called "Federweissen" commenced at the end of August.
The year 2010 was marked by extremely variable weather. Late budbreak at the end of April was followed by cool weather during flowering in June. An extremely hot July encouraged vigorous growth and the delay in vegetation became smaller. An unusually cool and wet August followed with the most precipitation ever recorded for that month. Fruit development advanced much slower than in the previous year and the ripening stage is now about average for the last ten years.
The cool temperatures during flowering led to diminished fruit-set in many regions. Poor weather further lowered fruit quantities in the vineyard. With estimates at hand from throughout the country, Norbert Weber, president of the German Vintner Association, expects a slightly lower than average yield volume of approximately 8.5 million hectolitres.
According to the German Wine Institute (GWI), harvesting of the first Müller-Thurgau and other early-ripening varieties is currently underway. Picking of the late ripening varieties such as Riesling, Silvaner or Pinot Noir is estimated to commence at the end of September. Just how the vintage will be in quality shall be seen during the next weeks. Vintners hope for continued development in ripening benefitted by sunny autumn weather and a golden October.photo: DWI