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The Association of Independent Winegrowers of Alsace (Synvira) expects that in the long term the growing region could develop into a red wine region due to climate change. "Our current climate is the same as that of Burgundy twenty years ago. Alsace has a historic chance to position itself on the same level as the red wines from Burgundy", Francis Backert, president of Synvira, told the trade magazine Vitisphere.
The difficult weather pattern of 2023 has prompted the 438 members of Synvira to think again about the future of their wines. The harvest, which has just ended, has confirmed the forecasts of only a small Riesling crop. The region's leading variety often yielded only very small grapes due to great heat. In the most unfavourable locations, Synvira vintners had to make do with 10 to 20 hl/ha, the best yields were a maximum of 55 hl/ha. This was far from the 75 hl/ha allowed in 2023.
For Pinot Noir, on the other hand, the year was "perfectly suited" because it produced heavy grapes with large berries. Therefore, according to Backert, it was very important "not to plant indiscriminately, but to immediately identify the terroirs suitable for this grape variety and benefit from the higher added value in the long term."
The lack of labour for the vineyards should also be included in this perspective. Currently, the region is witnessing the closure of around 200 vineyards per year. According to Francis Backert, there will soon be fewer than 3,000 producers in the region. The number of self-marketing farms has also already fallen to less than 700. He sees this development as a lack of sufficient yield. "The price obtained for land is increasingly at odds with the income per hectare. The production of Gewürztraminer, for example, is currently no longer profitable," he explained.
(uka / Source: Vitisphere)