THE 2023 HARVEST IS CLOSED FOR THE BARBERA D'ASTI E VINI DEL MONFERRATO CONSORTIUM

20 October 2023, Costigliole D'Asti - A balance sheet that we can define as mostly positive is that traced by the Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato Consortium which closes, with the 2023 harvest, a highly challenging vintage but characterized by a harvest which stands out for excellent quality grapes even if with slightly decreasing volumes. “The seasonal trend – says the President of the Consortium Vitaliano Maccario – was truly unpredictable and our winemakers had to face many complexities, once again demonstrating great competence and determination: spring, in fact, was characterized by very little rain, while the month June presented a cool climate interspersed with some rainy events which led to an initial risk of developing vine diseases. However, the companies, through correct management of phytosanitary treatments, have managed to block the onset of the disease. In the months of July and August the temperatures rose considerably and unfortunately, we were significantly affected by the lack of rainfall. However, the rains at the end of August were providential, restoring the balance we were hoping for. The beautiful and sunny months of September and early October did the rest, allowing us to harvest truly beautiful grapes of the highest quality level. In the glass we therefore expect truly interesting wines, with a strong personality and highly representative of our territory". From a quantitative point of view, the Barbera d'Asti e Vini del Monferrato Consortium, which represents 4 DOCG and 9 DOC, however reports an average drop in yields of 30% due largely to the drought events and hailstorms of the months past. “Surely this data – comments the President – must remind us that climate change is now an objective reality that must be addressed with tools that are up to the task. Nature is changing rapidly and a prompt response is required on our part to best safeguard production while maintaining today's high quality standards. To this end, the support of the institutions will certainly be fundamental in order to allow producers to make all the necessary innovations, including technological ones, to deal with the water emergency of recent years and to address the problems linked to the decline in production".

THE BARBERA D'ASTI AND MONFERRATO WINES CONSORTIUM

The Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato Consortium, founded in 1946, has the task of protecting and promoting its denominations to guarantee their diffusion and their image on national and international markets, also through specific distinctive brands. Currently the Consortium has more than 400 member companies and 13 protected names