|
|
The wine harvest in many regions of Germany has presumably turned out better than expected in the dry summer. According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the current estimates of the nationwide harvest amount to around nine million hectolitres. This would correspond to an increase of two percent compared to the ten-year average and of six percent compared to the previous year.
According to the DWI, the higher yields were mainly due to the rainfall in September. They allowed the ripe grapes to plump up once again after the extremely dry summer. However, the rain was also a challenge for the farms and often required additional selections in the vineyards.
In the thirteen German growing regions, the estimated yields had varied greatly depending on the distribution of precipitation, the grape variety level and the soil conditions. The Saale-Unstrut region, for example, had significantly higher yields than the long-term average. The increase there was as much as 23 per cent. In the Ahr and Baden regions, the expected harvest is 13 percent above the average yield. In most other areas, however, yield increases are forecast in the low single digits. Winegrowers in Rheinhessen (-2 per cent) and on the Mosel (-7 per cent) brought in less than average.
According to the DWI, the September precipitation also meant that the sugar content in the grapes of late-ripening grape varieties, such as Riesling, remained moderate despite the hot summer. As a result, the young wines are leaner and more harmonious than in the previous hot years.
The DWI counts the red wines among the winners of the 2022 vintage, because the red grapes have benefited the most from the sunniest summer since weather records began. The winemakers therefore expect very colour-intensive and fruity red wines with soft tannins.
(uka / Source: German Wine Institute - Photo: DWI)