November 2009

Grape Harvest 2009: record quality

The 2009 grape harvest is among the best ever, say Fantinel experts. In fact cellar manager Gianni Campo Dall’Orto says there have been only a couple of equally good years since 1976 to the present. High temperatures and moderate water stress have produced very concentrated grapes and undoubtedly outstanding quality. Yield is 8-12% less than in 2008. Low rainfall forced Friuli Venezia Giulia wine-growers to make up for the lack of water, but thanks to drip irrigation and ferti-irrigation (both systems have been the subjects of lengthy trials conducted by Fantinel with the University of Udine) most grape varieties reached the peak of their ripeness, including late-ripening grapes (in some cases as late as 24 October), such as Refosco and Cabernet, which achieved great finesse. If we also remember that the harvest started on August 18 with the earliest varieties, then this is truly to be considered a record year. “The preconditions were excellent,” says Gianni Campo Dall’Orto, “and those who had patience and waited for perfect physiological ripeness were rewarded with amazing quality – especially as concerns red grapes. These great wines will be heavy with red berries”.