Advance not particularly pronounced, falling quantities, grapes in perfect health condition: harvest has started in recent days in Valtènesi for the Groppello, Marzemino, Barbera and Sangiovese grapes for the production of Chiaretto, and will be followed in the second half of september by the selection for the reds.
In spite of the hot but now almost forgotten Summer, the timing is almost normal: harvest has actually started with a ten-day advance over last year, but only with a three days advance on 2015, outlining the profile of a vintage medium-to-high without particularly outstanding accelerations. In addition, the drop in temperature and rainfall in the last ten days have further contributed to realigning the maturation trend to that of a normal year. From a quantitative point of view, however, the drop in production is confirmed: we are in the order of -20%, with losses particularly due to frost on April 19 and august drought.
The quality of the grapes is good: on the health front, the vintage is perfect thanks to a regular and balanced summer vegetation, ideal alternation between periods of hot and rainy, neither too abundant nor too scarce, which allowed an ideal development of plants with a 40% reduction in pesticide interventions. The grapes are therefore healthy and in perfect condition, with a good aromatic profile and with sugar gradients rising compared to the last grape harvest. The wait is for very interesting wines both in terms of complexity and longevity.
The rite of the vintage for the Doc Riviera del Garda Classico will as always be celebrated with the great feast of “Profumi di Mosto”, the now traditional wine and food route scheduled for Sunday, October 8th: the 16th edition of the event will see this year the participation of 21 wineries, divided into three circuits from the hinterland to the riviera. Info and reservations: www.profumidimosto.it.
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