2018 Harvest notes – Marche
from Assoenologi (*) Report released on 31 August 2018.
( data valid till end of October when definitive data will be published )
General situation – Italy
The harvest will be generous all over Italy, as result of a more and more tropical climate.
Production will be at the level of full production vintages with harvest that will be back to more standard periods, from one to two weeks later than last year).
From the weather point of view, the alternation of large precipitations, sometimes violent ones, and heat waves has brought important humidity conditions in the vineyards.
-Few notes to summarize the season and few forecasts-
Quality:
Heterogeneous all over Italy and in particular in the center-south.
The alternation of precipitations and heat waves has developed a lot of humidity in the vineyard forcing the producers to intervene frequently to maintain grapes in good health conditions.
Good quality is expected, with different peaks of excellence.
First analytical data show lower acidity levels.
First harvested whites show a nice aromatic character as well an interesting intensity.
It is clear that in such a situation with presence of fungal diseases, both the experience and the competences of the oenologist are important for the quality level of the wines.
Quantity:
A first estimate (based on the 15% of grapes harvested) shows an increase of productions all over Italy, with peaks of 30/35% in the central regions, compared to the 2017 harvest.
Total expected production will be in the range of 55 to 57 millions of hectoliters, resulting in the second highest production level in the last 20 years.
This means an increase of 16% in respect to the average of the last 5 years (2013/2017).
MARCHE
Quantity: +15% compared to 2017.
Total expected production 2018: 990 HL ( average production 2013/2017 is 946 HL )
Winter had different precipitations with both rainfalls and snowfalls, the latter mainly in February.
In March Atlantic perturbations brought fresh airs and frequent precipitations. April was dry and warmer than usual, while frequent rains hit Italy again in May. June was warm and with an high level of humidity. Later till mid July fresher Atlantic fluxes brought other precipitations with some hail events that did not cause much problems.
In general summer has shown a lot of variability, with temperatures above average, interspersed with fresher periods following the passage of the storms.
There was a good quantity of water for the vines, budding was abundant and homogeneous, and the flowering was anticipated of at least one week. Also the color change happened one week earlier than usual.
From the phytosanitary point of view, different episodes of mildew (peronospera – mainly on both Passerina and Montepulciano grapes) were kept under control with preventive treatments. Very little was the presence of powdery mildew (oidio).
(*)
source Assoenologi – Extracted from the forecast published by the Italian Oenologist association on the 31 August – assoenologi.it