The grape harvest in Saxony's Elbe Valley between Pirna and Diesbar-Seußlitz is nearing completion after seven weeks. The majority of wineries have already finished or are close to finishing, said Felix Hößelbarth, chairman of the Saxony Winegrowers' Association, to the German Press Agency. The dry September and October were ideal, he said, including for the harvest. "It will be a very good vintage, in quality and quantity, across the entire growing region."
According to Hößelbarth, the original forecast of 28,500 hectoliters of yield at the start of harvest could still be exceeded. "That would be 10 percent more than last year." He also thinks 29,000 hectoliters is possible. The sun at the end was also good for the must weight, he said. 95 degrees Oechsle and higher is "very neat and speaks for good quality." And the wine also had the necessary flavor and aroma.
According to Hößelbarth, there was an unusual sequence of good and bad weather with times "when it was far too dry and then again too much rain." Successful viticulture is becoming more unpredictable, more challenging and is not a foregone conclusion, he said. "Everything there is in terms of rules and you have experience, you can't just apply and transfer." For example, when defoliating to aerate the grapes, care had to be taken not to remove too much or too soon. "Otherwise, sun can burn the grapes."
