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After the warm spring and the stable midsummer, wine experts in Germany expect a particularly early grape harvest this year. The German Wine Institute (DWI) reports that the vines are ripening about two to three weeks earlier than usual.
All 13 regions - from Saale-Unstrut to Baden - are reporting early grape ripening. It can therefore be assumed that the harvest for the new wine will start as early as mid-August. The warmest April since the beginning of weather records is the main reason for this, which has led to a flowering two weeks earlier than usual. High temperatures and the long hours of sunshine in early summer had additionally accelerated the further ripening process.
At present, the vines are not yet suffering from the drought, and both the hangings and the state of health are good. With roots up to twelve metres deep, the vines still have water reserves, only younger plants could suffer from drought stress. In this respect, rainfall would be welcome to the wine producers - provided it is not accompanied by heavy rain and hail. The last early vintages were in 2011 and 2007.
(uka / Photo: German Wine Institute)