- Anticipated Grape Harvest in 2024: Wish for Tranquil Autumn Climate
Vintners all over various areas in Germany initiated their primary grape gathering this week. Despite a challenging year filled with excessive rainfall, the majority remain hopeful, mentioned Ernst Büscher from the German Wine Institute in Bodenheim (DWI) to the German Press Agency.
The picking of early varieties had already commenced in certain instances last week, such as Müller-Thurgau and Grauburgunder. Grapes meant for sparkling wine production were already harvested in excellent shape towards the end of August.
The delightfully sunny spell from mid-August to early September allowed the grapes to flourish wonderfully, stated Büscher. "The must weights are now at premium wine grades and often even surpassing it."
However, the maturity of individual grape varieties varies significantly this year, depending on the location, vineyard conditions, and region. For instance, the Burgundies are already quite advanced, particularly in the southern regions. Contrastingly, the Riesling maturity is generally below last year's level.
Rain hinders harvest pace
The diverse weather patterns of late with heavy downpours have moderated the ripening of the grapes consequently. As a result, the main harvest kicked off with more caution compared to the sped-up "turbo harvest" in 2023 due to weather inconsistencies. Numerous operations are still in limbo.
"If we encounter tranquil autumn weather in the upcoming weeks, the prospects for an exceptional high-quality vintage still exist," said Büscher. According to his evaluation, an alternate between warm days and cool nights would be perfect for the aroma advancement of the grapes.
2024 was a considerably labor-intensive year for winemakers. The heavy rain in the initial half of the year triggered robust vine growth, necessitating more frequent leaf pruning by the winegrowers. Some operations also struggled with the fungal illness False Mildew due to the humidity. The balmy, damp weather was particularly taxing for organic winemakers.
The German Wine Institute, led by Ernst Büscher, expressed optimism despite the year's challenges. He emphasized that the grapes, despite the rain, have must weights at premium wine grades and sometimes surpassing it.
Despite the diverse weather patterns causing delays, Büscher remains hopeful for an exceptional vintage with warm days and cool nights in the upcoming weeks, beneficial for the grapes' aroma advancement.
