The longest harvest in Italy, typically over one hundred days, started twelve days early this year. A record for some locations, such as in the areas of Menfi, where Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay are currently being collected. A warm winter season and spring, without rain, promoted early budding and, as a result, an anticipation of all the phenological and physiological stages of the vine. Regardless of the dry conditions, there are no indications of water tension and the grapes are completely healthy and undamaged.
Sicilian vineyards, for that reason, remain in exceptional phytosanitary and qualitative condition; some vines grown in the locations of the island expose a natural and carrying out resistance to severe dry spell conditions. For the 2024 vintage, a boost of around 10-15% is approximated compared to the previous vintage however a physiological reduction compared to an optimum average. Wine makers in Sicily are showing efficient in handling dry spell thanks to using ingenious rootstocks and using natural items called corroborants that fix ecological tension and heat waves. Lastly, right management of the soil and water resources, together with the experimentation began with sensing units that keep track of water tension, enable accuracy watering and ideal usage of water. After the start in Western Sicily, with the harvest of the shimmering base, the harvest continues with global ranges such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, followed by native vines. The manufacturers of Etna will close this long harvest at the end of October.
” The Sicilian grape harvest is a minute of terrific contrast for the island’s wine makers – remarks Mariangela Cambria, president of Assovini Sicilia – The projections for the 2024 vintage mention quality and healthy and entire grapes however likewise of agronomic strategies and soil management that today enable us to much better handle dry spell in Sicily and in the vineyards. The issue of handling water resources can not be resolved autonomously by specific manufacturers however a total political vision is required that enables us to carry out a water strategy in a structural method. Sicily is lucky to delight in an amazing range that equates into a variety of white wine production” – concludes Mariangela Cambria.
Seasonal pattern of the 2024 vintage and harvest projections
Western SicilyThe warm environment has actually preferred the development of grapes that are healthy and undamaged. To date, the quality of the grapes is exceptional, and there have actually been no issues with grainy mildew or botrytis. The minimal water reserves in the vineyards, together with the early start of summertime, have actually sped up all the phenological stages of the vine.
” We observed an early budding with an advance of about 10 days, followed by an early blooming at the end of April and a similarly early veraison. These aspects made it essential to expect the harvest by about 12 days compared to previous years. When it comes to the amount, we remain in the yearly average, at the minute all the ranges are reacting well, both qualitatively and quantitatively and we anticipate a boost in production compared to the 2023 harvest project” – remarks Filippo Buttafuoco, viticultural professional.
” The benefits were of a phytosanitary nature due to the fact that the dry weather condition occasions preferred the development of especially healthy grapes. The drawback might be made up by early ripening, particularly for non-native white grapes, even 20 days earlier than the previous year” – includes agronomist Ennio Gugliotta.
Central-Southern SicilyThe vintage follows the normal cliché of hot and dry years. A warm winter season and spring, without rain, promoted an early budding and, as a result, an anticipation of all the phenological and physiological stages of the vine. For that reason, we can consider it a vintage with early harvests likewise in the areas of central-southern Sicily.
” Our vineyards remain in exceptional phytosanitary condition and the grapes are healthy. Concerning quality, the grapes that will be collected by August will reach an exceptional quality requirement. This year resembles 2017 and 2022. These are hot and dry years. Although it is still early for a conclusive judgment, considering that the harvest has actually simply started and will continue till October, it is indisputable that the Sicilia vineyard provides healthy and undamaged grapes” – remarks the oenologist Tonino Guzzo.
Etna There are still a couple of months to go till the harvest on Etna, where heats and some erratic rain have actually been taped, followed by the severe heat of July with little temperature level variations in between day and night. Regardless of the relatively dry conditions, there are still no indications of water tension.
” The amount is great however will be affected by the hoped-for rains at the end of August. The quality will likewise depend mainly on the rains of August/September. The grapes are completely healthy. To handle the dry spell, a long-lasting technique is required, the option of planting density, however above all using native ranges on resistant rootstocks. In the short-term, right management of the soil and the canopy can be of terrific assistance” – remarks agronomist Marco Nicolosi.
In the Etna location, high amounts are anticipated this year, 10-15% more than average. “Definitely, there are ranges that appear to withstand environment modification extremely well, such as Nerello Mascalese. Carricante and Catarratto have actually likewise reacted well to these temperature level and water modifications. Nero d’Avola and Grillo are more conscious environment modification. The global ranges are great, particularly Syrah and Chardonnay, which as constantly reveal an exceptional action to occasions” – remarks wine maker Emiliano Falsini.
South-East” The year is dry and hot, however thanks to the intro of an ingenious system – which keeps an eye on an exact water demand through sensing units – we have the ability to handle accuracy watering. The harvest of the white grape ranges has to do with 10 days early while ranges such as Grillo, Chardonnay and Insolia are healthy, in amount and in balance thanks to a smart management of the vineyards. The range that reacts finest to both environment modification and any illness lacks a doubt Frappato” – remarks agronomist Daniele Modica.
For agronomists Silvio Vallone and Mattia Giacomelli, “the quality of the grapes is great, with a somewhat below-average yield. We can speak about gewurztraminers with considerable concentrations from a fragrant perspective and structured reds with considerable polyphenolic maturation.”
North-East and Aeolian Islands Even in the province of Messina, the land of the 3 DOCs (Mamertino, Faro, Malvasia), the projections are great and the harvest will start at the end of August, a week early. “The early ripening has actually not jeopardized the quality. The grapes remain in exceptional phytosanitary conditions. Our native vines – Malvasia, Corinto Nero, Catarratto – are ranges that withstand severe heat well. To much better handle the dry spell, we work the soil and usage resistant rootstocks. There might be a drop in amount however we can currently speak about a great quality year” – remarks the oenologist Pietro Colosi.
How to handle dry spell and water stressInnovation, rootstocks, soil management, usage of natural compounds to preserve as much soil wetness as possible: here is how to handle water tension according to some agronomists and oenologists. According to Tonino Guzzo: “Rootstocks should ensure not just resistance to severe conditions however likewise exceptional quality. In Sicily, it is essential to use the concepts of farming in a clinical way and usage, reasonably, assistance watering”.
Some wine makers, from the start of budding, throughout the spring, provided the Sicilian soil and environment context, remove weeds in order to lower water competitors with the vineyard. Then in fall, grassing is motivated.
” To safeguard the vines from ecological tension – dry spell and heat waves – we utilize ingenious natural items – called corroborants -: these are zeolite and kaolin, which when used to the leaves safeguard from the sun’s rays and avoid sunburn, producing a hostile environment for damaging bugs such as leafhoppers and moths. In all our vineyards, water is dosed and determined utilizing drip watering systems” – includes Filippo Buttafuoco.
” Sadly, the absence of water should be primarily countered with a significant water strategy that concentrates on water guideline, the building of tanks that can be utilized by farmers, a reforestation strategy to prevent desertification and an intense battle versus arson. The issue should be resolved in properly due to the fact that in the coming years it runs the risk of not just impacting viticulture however sadly likewise the economy of whole areas” – concludes Emiliano Falsini.
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