Quantity: -10% compared to the 2020 harvest

In Trentino, the 2021 vintage was characterized by an alternating seasonal trend and with rather extreme situations, but overall, today, the concrete possibility of going towards an interesting and quality 2021 harvest is taking hold. The vines have an excellent appearance, the clusters are healthy, the productive load is not excessive and the seasonal trend, after the worrying rains at the end of July, has embarked on a decidedly favorable course. Of course we are facing a very late year.

The hailstorms that hit all the Trentino valleys with varying intensity are certainly negative and painful: it is estimated that around 500 hectares of vineyard area are missing, 5% of the Trentino vineyard. Overall, production is down compared to last year due to the lower average weight of the bunches. On the one hand, the late frost of April 8, while not causing direct damage due to the providential delayed bud break, still limited the fertility and size of the clusters. Subsequently, the very late flowering in the first decade of June resolved quickly (3-4 days) in a context of high temperatures and water stress which helped to reduce fruit set. The varieties most affected by the decline in production are Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot grigio.

As regards the phytosanitary defense, no particular problems are reported, the number of interventions was on average both for treatments, both for fertilization and emergency irrigation.

The high presence of Schaphoideus Titanus in the Trentino vineyards alarmed winemakers and technicians and, in compliance with the mandatory control decree, two or more specific insecticide treatments were carried out to kill the population present. The harvest began for the white and red sparkling wine varieties between 30 August and 1 September, the other white ones between 1 and 5 and the other reds will be detached from 12 to 20 of the same month.

In South Tyrol the winter climate was presented with temperatures and rainfall above the norm, with very abundant snowfalls in the mountains, guaranteeing water availability.

The spring period, with temperatures lower than the average of the past seasons, slowed down all the phenological periods, which can be recorded in the valley floor with about ten days. At high altitudes, the more regular climate has led to normal phenological phases. Flowering coincided with mild temperatures and no rain, ensuring a good fruit set. However, the number of berries per cluster is slightly lower and the berries are smaller due to the rather dry June. The average hot summer participated in a healthy development of the fruit. In July, significant hailstorms were recorded in the lower Alto Adige on the Trentino border. The average quality of the varieties ranges from excellent to excellent, in particular the autochthonous red grapes and the semi-aromatic whites.

The harvest, with the early white varieties at low altitudes, began in early September and most of the grapes will be harvested between the 15th and 30th of this month. It will probably end with Cabernet Sauvignon towards the end of October.