A Sunny September Provides Just the Right Touch

The golden days of late summer got everything ready. Although during 2011, many winegrowers at times looked at their vineyards with apprehension. But in the autumn, they harvested thoroughly ripe, healthy grapes. Their summary: “Fine harvest – everything’s fine.” The 2011 wine harvest began two weeks earlier, lasted considerably longer than was at first expected and, with just a few exceptions, was accompanied by absolute picture book weather. The results can be seen and, above all else, can be tasted. What the winegrowers picked during the 2011 harvest and the producers pressed and stored in their cellars is raising hopes for an outstanding vintage for 2011, as emerges from a survey in the various winegrowing regions of Alto Adige. The grapes demonstrated consistently high sugar levels. Although in comparison to the previous year, the acidity was somewhat reduced, nevertheless the connection between them was balanced. The white wines are showing a crispy freshness, and with the red wines, it is above all the Lagrein and Pinot Noir that are promising great drinking pleasure.