HARVEST REPORT 2023 ITALIAN WINE-GROWING AREAS

ANDREAS KOFLER, PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTH TYROL WINE CONSORTIUM

“The 2023 wine year was characterized by generally extreme weather conditions,” says Andreas Kofler, president of the Alto Adige Wine Consortium. “As regards especially the white varieties, the sugar values have remained lower than normal, consequently the alcohol content will also be lower,” he says. “A lower alcohol content is exactly what the market requires,” recalls the president of the Consortium. “So this year, nature gave us exactly what we were looking for,” says Kofler. “Schiava and Lagrein also benefit from the ideal climate these days, this autumn is helping us a lot and promises a good year,” continues Kofler. “While last year, more or less, everything went as it should, without any particular effort, this year much, much more work was needed,” he recalls. “Compared to other areas, the situation in Alto Adige is still positive, because our farmers have their land perfectly under control and, for the most part, have done their work to perfection,” he concludes.

PIERANGELO TOMMASI, PRESIDENT OF HISTORICAL FAMILIES

“The 2023 harvest recently concluded in Valpolicella (both the Classic and Eastern areas) will highlight the true viticultural and oenological capabilities of each company,” declares Pierangelo Tommasi, president of Famiglie Storiche.
“In fact, those who had the knowledge to best manage the vineyard in a challenging and fluctuating season, with a very rainy spring and below average temperatures while the central months, in particular in August, were very hot, will be rewarded. The end of the season, starting from September and therefore the harvest period, was excellent, free of rain; a positive and important climate change, with hot days and very cool nights, factors that contributed to ripening the grapes, with a rapid increase in sugars and a notable increase in phenolic substances.”, continues Tommasi. “From uninspiring harvest forecasts, we must be satisfied with average or slightly lower yields and certainly good-excellent product quality. The grapes for the production of Amarone and Recioto are drying in the orchards. In the hope of a cold winter with a low percentage of humidity, the bunches are formed outside and transformed inside. For a more complete assessment of the 2023 harvest we must therefore wait until January at the end of the drying.

VITALIANO MACCARIO, PRESIDENT OF THE BARBERA D'ASTI AND MONFERRATO WINES CONSORTIUM

“The seasonal trend – says the President of the Barbera d'Asti and Vini del Monferrato Consortium, Vitaliano Maccario – was truly unpredictable and our winemakers had to face many complexities, demonstrating once again great competence and determination: spring, in fact, is was characterized by very little rainfall, while the month of 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".