After almost six weeks, the grape harvest in Saxony's Elbe Valley has come to an end. "The majority of winegrowers finished in September," said Felix Hößelbarth, Chairman of the Saxony Winegrowers' Association. As expected, the quantity is probably only 20 to 30 percent of a normal harvest. The association expects 800 liters for the entire growing region. "The quality is very good with a low quantity." The beautiful dry weather with plenty of sunshine has given the fruit a healthy ripeness. "No rot, wonderful, healthy grapes."
Vintage forecast confirmed
The grape harvest in the Elbe Valley began at the end of August, two weeks earlier than usual in line with the trend of previous years. Due to the varying ripeness of the fruit and the resprouting after late frosts in April, it was stretched out over time. It was already clear beforehand that the capricious weather would lead to considerable damage in Germany's smallest wine-growing region - the second budding of the vines was only able to compensate for this to a very limited extent. "We fought for every vine," said Martin Junge from the Saxon State Winery Schloss Wackerbarth. Nevertheless, the yield is only around 20 percent of a normal year - as feared.
Picking will continue in the vineyards around Radebeul until next week. Late Riesling grapes, some of which were harvested earlier as a base wine for sparkling wine, are also ripening fully. At Wackerbarth, they are satisfied with the quality, said Junge. High must weights, low acidity and a suitable aroma are a solid basis for our cellar masters to make wines that are typical and appreciated for our growing region - "finely fruity, elegant and with finesse".
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