2018 Harvest Report

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harvest report



2018 Harvest
Report

4 General Report: France
6 General Report: Italy
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12 General Report: Germany
14 Château Gilbert et Gaillard
16 Domaine Bois de Boursan
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Weingut Richard Böcking
Tenuta di Angoris

2018 Harvest Report

FRANCE HARVEST

2018

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AROUND THE REGIONS: A SNAPSHOT

In Champagne, thanks to the high temperatures, vineyards were 15 days ahead of schedule, said
Agreste.

Thunderstorms have had only a small impact on production. The authorised yield is 10,800 kg/
ha.

In Burgundy and Beaujolais, flowering went well. The bunches were generous and the harvest
could take place three weeks earlier than usual.

Disease pressure is high in places but overall production is set to rise by 11%. Maconnais and
Nuits-Saint-Georges were worst-hit by storms and conditions could be more difficult there.

In Alsace, flowering was abundant, the bunches were generous and the harvest could be 10 days
early. Production will clearly be higher than in 2017, Agreste said.

In the Loire Valley, disease pressure has been intense, sometimes leading to crop losses. Vines
were running 15 days ahead of schedule, however.

In Bordeaux, hailstorms caused at least some damage to 7,500 hectares of vineyard, with Côtes
de Bourg and Blaye suffering the most but with some areas of Pessac and southern Médoc also
affected.

The dry climate of July suppressed mildew but black rot spots on bunches are appearing in the
vineyards.

In Languedoc-Roussillon mildew was virulent in June, with attacks on bunches varying according
to the terroirs.

The west of the department of Aude was also affected by hailstorms. Production will be at an
average level, and higher than in 2017.

In the southeast, coulure affected Grenache grapes. Rain has disrupted flowering and mildew
developed very rapidly, a rare occurrence in the region.

In the Rhône, flowering went well, according to Agreste. However, coulure appeared on certain
terroirs.

Te m p e r a t u r e s h a v e b e e n v e r y h i g h i n t h e r e g i o n i n r e c e n t w e e k s . Ve r a i s o n – t h e m o m e n t w h e n
grapes change colour and ripening begins – was evident and the harvest could be up to eight to
10 days early, the agency said.

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2018 Harvest Report

ITALY HARVEST 2018

MARCHE

At the Andrea Felici estate in the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi zone in north-central
northwest Marche, Leopardo Felici reports that heavy rains caused multiple problems, from
disease (peronospera, a type of downy mildew) to possible botrytis, due to autumn rains.
Overall, though the weather cooperated – especially with cool summer nights – and he is upbeat
a b o u t t h i s ye a r. “ 2 0 1 8 w a s o n e of t h e m o s t b e a u t i f u l ye a r s s i n c e 2 0 0 6 ,” Fe l i c i c o m m e n t s .

A l s o i n t h e J e s i a r e a , O n d i n e d e l a Fe l d o f Te n u t a d i Ta v i g n a n o r e p o r t s a n o r m a l c r o p s i z e ;
a g a i n , h e av y r a i n s c a u s e d a g re a t d e a l m o re w o r k t h a n u s u a l i n t h e v i n eya rd s . “At t h i s m o m e n t ,”
de la Feld says, “we are very satisfied about the quality of the vintage, because with selected
bunch thinning we focused work on the photosynthesis of the grapes, and ripening is carrying on
p e r fe c t l y.”

CAMPANIA

Rain – again – was a major problem, in the south, especially in Campania. Antonio Capalado,
proprietor of Feudi di San Gregorio, one of the region’s most respected producers, reports
problems in the white wine districts of both Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino. “We
experienced heavy rain (and, unfortunately, hailstorms) in both areas. Particularly in Greco,
some areas were seriously impacted and quantity decreased heavily – in line with past year but
40 percent to 50 percent below average. In Fiano we will have an increase in quantity versus
last year, but we remain below average.

“For quality we need to see what happens in the next two weeks. If the climate remains warm we
will have a difficult vintage as we face the risk of seeing the grapes damp off. If it cools down
(which appear to be the case), we could have one of the most surprising vintages over the past
10 years.

“For sure, whatever happens, similarly to the past four to five vintages, the quality will be
s i g n i f i c a n t l y d i f fe re n t i a t e d f ro m s u b - z o n e t o s u b - z o n e .”

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At Poderi Oddero, a renowned Barolo producer in La Morra, Cristina Oddero noted that
February and early March was quite snowy; winter was long and spring arrived late. Increased
temperatures from mid-April were followed by frequent rains in May and June, meaning there
would be no drought conditions in the area, as was the case the previous three years. Oddero
reported that there were no hailstorms in her vineyards, although there was hail damage in
other parts of the region, especially in Barbaresco.

One problem she did deal with was severe loss of production due to fungal diseases this year;
as Oddero is an organic producer, these maladies are more likely to affect viticulture such as
hers. She notes that Nebbiolo production for her Barbaresco will probably be between September
22 and 25, with harvest in her Barolo vineyards shortly after that.

In Asti, Luigi Coppo also suffered some disease in his vineyards, requiring a thinning of his
crop. Harvest did begin on time, unlike last year’s very early harvest; the size of the crop is
quite good and overall, he is pleased with the quality of the fruit. While he says that it is
difficult to compare this year with most years, he does think it resembles 2014, and he praised
t h i s ye a r fo r i t s “ ve r y h i g h q u a l i t y.”

At Ceretto, Alessandro Ceretto noted that while the whites were harvested somewhat early
this year, the reds are now all coming in together, due to recent warm temperatures, while the
c o o l n i g h t s h e l p e d p re s e r ve a c i d i t y. “ I d o n’ t l i ke t o s ay i t ,” re m a r k s Ce re t t o , “ b u t i t (t h e 2 0 1 8
h a r ve s t ) i s g o i n g t o b e a re a l l y g o o d o n e .”

TUSCANY

At Rocca di Montegrossi in Gaiole, in far southern Chianti Classico, properietor Marco Ricasoli-
Firidolfi notes that the weather was quite unusual in 2018, beginning with very rainy and cold
conditions in February and March. While this precipitation was needed after drought conditions
the last two years, bud break started late. While June and July were ideal, he reports that the
conditions were quite variable from July 20 to August 23, with “sultry heat and often afternoon
thunderstorms. In fact, in some areas of southern Italy, it has rained 1000 percent more than
ave r a g e .”

The last big storm hit the area on August 24 and Ricasoli-Firidolfi is hoping for as little rain as
p o s s i b l e t h e s e n e x t fe w d ays , “s o t h e g r a p e s re a c h t h e i r f u l l m a t u r a t i o n .”

At Fontodi, near the middle of Chianti Classico in the village of Panzano, properietor Giovanni
Ma n e t t i n o t e d a “ ve r y p l e a s a n t ” s u m m e r, w i t h s o m e s h o w e r s ; “ p e r fe c t t o re hyd r a t e t h e v i n e s .”
Manetti is optimistic, but also keeping his fingers crossed for his Sangiovese harvest. “The
grapes are showing wonderful condition, very fresh and almost ripe (keeping our fingers
crossed), capable of giving us a classic style wine with plenty of harmony and balance. The
quantity will also be good. Before the summer we expected to start the harvest at the end of
S e p t e m b e r b u t t h e S a n g i ove s e w i l l b e re a d y b e fo re t h e n i n t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e t e r r i t o r y.”

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2018 Harvest Report

After last year´s below-average crops and correspondingly depleted cellar stocks, latest
estimates expect a wine must harvest nationwide of approximately 10.7 million hectoliters in

volume.
According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), this would correspond to a 23 per cent rise over

the 10-year mean of 8.8 million hectolitres, resulting in the largest harvest since 1999.

THE 2018 HARVEST, A TRULY OUTSTANDING VINTAGE

Despite the extreme water shortages, this year´s yields have turned out unexpectedly high even
for the experts.

However, the estimated volume increases vary widely between the regions, ranging from 5 per
cent in Saale-Unstrut, to 36 per cent in the Mosel and up to 64 per cent in the Mittelrhein.

Following one of the warmest summers and earliest start-dates on record, German winegrowers
across the country have brought in crops of exceptional quality. This summer´s drought has in

hindsight been more beneficial than harmful for vine development and berry ripening.

GRAPES EXCELLENT IN HEALTH WITH RICH AROMAS

Thanks to the hot, dry conditions, the grapes are showing themselves right up into October to
be in excellent health, with rich aromas and high ripeness levels. The red wine varieties have

benefitted especially from the sunny summer.
Care has been taken with picking times to ensure that the grapes do not come into the cellar

with all too high must weights, so as to prevent the wines becoming excessively powerful.

HARVEST 2018 DELIVERS TOP QUALITIES AND QUANTITIES

Wine lovers can look forward to a vintage 2018 of exceptionally fruity white wines and deeply-
coloured, full-bodied reds, which from the entry-level to the premium segments offer first-class

enjoyment and excellent value for money.

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GERMANY HARVEST

2018

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2018 Harvest Report
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Château Gilbert & Gaillard Kindred Vines Import Company
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The most marked feature of this year’s growing season as the
abundant rainfall from January to mid-June. After the drought
during the autumn of 2017, the rain replenished water supplies
in the soils at the end of the winter, and supported plant growth
in the spring. The effects of this are now clear for all to see:
the canopy is nice and green and well-developed, with no signs of
water stress despite the heart wave in the middle of the summer.
We do though have some reservations about our Syrah from the
Mas de Berre/Plateau site. The other noteworthy feature was
the extremely high disease pressure from mildew throughout
the season, across large swathes of Mediterranean vineyards.
The estate withstood the episode pretty (very) well with little
impact on quantities ultimately, despite the fact that our vines
are being converted to organic. This can be ascribed to strategic
decisions like choosing to wait until the level of humidity had
dropped again before using tillage in the vineyards. This year
s e e s a re t u r n t o “ n o r m a l ”, o r eve n l a t e , h a r ve s t d a t e s d u e t o t h e
fact that our vineyards are located on a limestone plateau at
high altitude. Grape picking began on September 10 and should be
finished towards the end of the month. After a first week spent in
the winery working on the first juice extraction, we have noticed
that the defining features of the 2018 vintage are great balance
and a substantial potential to work with. Now that the cold pre-
fermentation soaking is over, our Syrah plots are already offering
up wonderful color and notes of licorice pastilles and straight
licorice. For as long as the crop continues to yield what it has to
give, we will continue our daily extractions in order to increase
aromatic complexity before putting the wine into casks.

2018 Harvest Report

DOMAINE BOIS DE BOURSAN

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2018 Harvest Report
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Weingut Richard Böcking

Except for small parcels in the Burgberg and Schlossberg where
we left grapes hanging for further ripening, our harvest ended
one week ago in the Ungsberg.

We had a wonderful harvest. The German Wine Institute
claims the harvest is the largest in Germany since 1999, and
here on the middle Mosel the quality appears commensurate.
Plump, healthy berries with an unusually high sugar content
are the norm. All town vintners are tired, happy and smiling!

The wonderful weather continues for the late ripening of the
Prädikat wine grapes: Bright, dry, sunny days (highs around 70
degrees), with cool, crisp nights (lows around 55 degrees). This
weather balance has been the norm since late July, providing
the perfect backdrop for a wonderful harvest.

We employed 11 guest workers this year, from Sept. 24 to
Oct. 6. Three were Polish locals, the rest Romanian. More
than half this crew was with us in previous years. Of course,
family pitched in, too.

Sisi Carroll

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2018 Harvest Report

TENUTA DI ANGORIS

THE REASON FOR A GREAT VINTAGE: CLIMATE.

During the months of February and March, a long cold
p e r i o d b e g a n . Te m p e r a t u r e s f i v e d e g r e e s C e l s i u s ( a b o u t
9 degrees Fahrenheit) below the seasonal average were
recorded. This particularly frigid climate slowed down the
vegetative growth of the vine. Only towards the 20th of
April, with more than two weeks of delay, did the plants
start to sprout. The vegetative delay strongly reduced the
risk of late frost. In the month of April, the temperatures
suddenly rose, recording decisively summer temperatures,
especially in the third week. Flowering and fruit setting

(formation of the grape) continued from there, for all
varieties, in excellent climatic conditions. In the first

week of August, we achieved record high heat which
strongly anticipated the grape ripening process. This
positive climatic tendency allowed us to obtain perfectly
healthy grapes. The most fertile varieties were the same
ones affected by the frost on April 21, 2017: refosco
dal peduncolo rosso, pinot bianco, and pinot grigio. We
began harvesting at 5:00 AM on the 16th of August. The
first variety harvested was the Sauvignon DOC Isonzo.
We ended our harvest on the 27th of September with the
Schioppettino DOC Friuli Colli Orientali. How will the
vintage 2018 wines be? We will have whites and reds to be

remembered for a long time.

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Kindred Vines Import Company
1250-A Rankin Drive, Troy, MI 48083

(248) 817-8651
www.kindredvines.com