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ECOVIN, the Federal Association of Ecologically Working Wineries in Germany, draws an ambivalent balance of the 2017 wine year: "On average for all German wine-growing regions, the quantities were much lower than the long-term average. However, the qualities are convincing," it says in a press release.
Warm weather in March allowed the vines to sprout early in most areas. At the end of April, however, there was a frost, so that many of the young shoots froze and dried out. "These cold nights hit not only viticulture but also fruit and vegetable growing hard, which explains why this year's grape harvest is so small," said ECOVIN. In addition, in the further course of the vegetation in some regions there was also damage caused by animals and insects as well as heavy rain and hail damage.
Due to the moisture in autumn, fast action and meticulous selection of the grapes was also required during the grape harvest. "The harvest began very early, at the end of August, and in some places was already completed by the end of September," explains ECOVIN. By the last week of October, it had been completed across the board.
Erik Riffel, chairman of the Rhine-Hessian ECOVIN members, has a positive opinion: "Wherever the grapes could be harvested without damage, a top vintage with high ripeness and crisp acidity presents itself" The association announces: "The wine lover can look forward to fruity, aromatically fresh wines, but there will certainly be moderate price increases."
(CS / Press release; Picture: ECOVIN / Cam Soergel)