Harvest 2023: significant production for the Colli Berici and Vicenza DOC

The Consorzio Tutela Vini Colli Berici e Vicenza presents the forecasts on the harvest performance of the 28 members distributed throughout the province. Based on initial analyses, a high quality vintage is expected. The Berici Hills area, although naturally less rainy than the Vicenza foothills, was also hit by the hailstorms that affected the entire Veneto region in the last weeks of July. The damage, although involving a certain seriousness, was concentrated in the central-northern area of the Berici Hills. “The midsummer hailstorms led to a 20% reduction in yield in the affected areas – declares Giovanni Ponchia , Director of the Consortium -. However, the first weeks of August gave us favorable weather conditions, with sunny days, which helped stabilize the health of the grapes. We are therefore cautious about quantity estimates, but so far the signs point to a promising year. We are currently proceeding with the harvest of the grapes, which has been divided into different phases, reflecting the viticultural variety of our territory". Beginning on August 23, the first stages of the harvest involved the Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc varieties, followed by the Sauvignon Blanc. Others, such as Tai Rosso and Merlot, will be harvested between 10 and 15 September, the Cabernet Sauvignon will reach full ripeness at the end of September, the Carmenère and Garganega grapes at the beginning of October. “Given the differences in ripening that are being found in some varieties – adds Silvio Dani , President of the Consortium –, we are planning to harvest the grapes in several steps to manage the various ripening times of the bunches, thus guaranteeing the highest quality of production”. The aromatic picture was also positively influenced by the marked temperature variations that characterized the period between the end of July and the first half of August. The predictions relating to the organoleptic characteristics also appear interesting, with the high acidity levels and sustained alcohol content typical of the Berici Hills area