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The Austrian Wine Marketing ÖWM expects an average wine volume of around 2.4 million hl this year. After the record-breaking early harvest of 2018, the harvest will start at the beginning of September, first around Lake Neusiedl. In the other areas, it will start from mid-September," said Austria's winegrowing president Johannes Schmuckenschlager about the 2019 vintage, adding: "I make an urgent appeal to the wine trade to pay reasonable grape prices that cover costs. Otherwise, there is a risk of increased grubbing-up in this segment."
In contrast to last year, this year the flowering started about two weeks later, which means normal timing for the winegrowers, he said. The great heat in June 2019, with record temperatures above 30 degrees, then led to rapid vegetation progress. The dry and hot weather was the reason that very healthy grape material is currently available throughout Austria. The dryness around and after the blossom did not cause any fungal diseases. However, the very high temperatures around the blossom led to coulure of the grapes in some areas and vineyards.
In some areas, for example in Burgenland and in the Krems region, the heat in June and July had caused considerable drought stress. At the end of July, the all-clear had been given in most wine-growing areas due to corresponding rainfall. There were also sporadic heavy rains and thunderstorms. Hail damage was also recorded in some places. At present, vegetation is progressing rapidly due to the precipitation, which is why a normal start to harvesting can be expected.
Due to the postponement of ripening to a normal, somewhat cooler period, the vintners expect high sugar concentrations, but also sufficient acidity. Therefore, they expect very harmonious and balanced wines.
(uka / Photo: ÖWM)