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The former leading South Tyrolean variety Vernatsch lost around 15 per cent of its vineyard area last year alone and is now only cultivated on 467 hectares. While Vernatsch in its various forms dominated viticulture in South Tyrol in 2000 with almost 2,000 of the total 5,700 hectares or 40 per cent share, the area has halved every ten years. The ratio between red and white wine varieties has also reversed since the turn of the millennium. Today, red wine still accounts for 35 per cent of the area under cultivation (2000: 59%).
Pinot Grigio is in first place with 699 hectares, followed by Chardonnay (650 ha), Gewürztraminer (634 ha), Pinot Blanc (610 ha), Pinot Noir (580 ha), Lagrein (537 ha), Sauvignon Blanc (497 ha) and Vernatsch (467 ha). With the exception of Gewürztraminer, international varieties have clearly overtaken the local ones (figures from the Consorzio Vini Alto Adige).
The reasons given for the sharp decline in Vernatsch are that many vineyards are planted in pergola cultivation, which requires significantly more manual labour and allows less mechanisation, as well as the lower price for grapes, which is between 1.50 and 3 euros per kilogram. This makes Vernatsch less profitable than other varieties such as Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc.
(al / Source: Vinonews24)