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The Cantine Settesoli winery cooperative in Menfi, Sicily, harvested the first Pinot Grigio grapes for the 2024 Italian vintage on 18 July. According to the winery, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato and Chardonnay will also be ripe in a few days. The cooperative has also given the go-ahead for the grape harvest in Italy in previous years, but never as early as this year. In 2023, the harvest workers brought the first grapes into the cellar on 30 July.
Early heat and extreme drought accelerated the vegetation process of the vines this year. Budding took place around ten days earlier than last year. In autumn 2023 and winter 2024, rainfall was well below the seasonal average at just 250 millimetres. In this region, 500 to 600 millimetres per year is usual.
While Sicilian winegrowers struggled with massive peronospora infestation last year, there were no problems in 2024 due to the high temperatures and drought. After the white grapes, the early-ripening Merlot and Alicante Bouschet varieties are harvested at Settesoli.
(ru / Winenews)