In some places not a single grape hangs on the vine, in other regions the vintners are satisfied with the growth and quality of the berries at the start of the harvest. “We have to adjust to each harvest,” said the President of the Franconian Viticulture Association, Artur Steinmann, on the occasion of the official opening of the grape harvest on Thursday in Nordheim (Kitzingen district). Agriculture Minister Michaela Kaniber (CSU) cut Bacchus grapes from vines on the wine island with red pruning shears. “The weather is becoming more and more unpredictable,” she said, referring to the capers of the past and this year.
With 99 percent of the cultivation area, Franconia is the most important wine-growing area in Bavaria. There are around 3500 winegrowers, 700 of them direct marketing, and also cooperatives, all of which grow wine on more than 6300 hectares.
This year they did not worry about the dreaded late frosts, which in 2020 brought them the smallest yield in 35 years. Nevertheless, it rained far too often, especially in spring and summer – and downy mildew (downy mildew) spread on leaves and berries in many places. In some locations, vintners complained of up to 80 percent failure on the vines. Elsewhere, vintners were able to defend themselves against the fungus, whether with rigorous foliage pruning or pesticides.
“The wine year 2021 was a tremendous challenge for the winemakers – and will certainly be remembered for a long time due to the high level of work intensity that hardly allowed for a breather,” said Steinmann. The winemakers are mostly satisfied.
“You are reaping the wages of the year,” said winemaker Thomas Borst from Nordheim. The cellars were recently very empty because of the lean years. Depending on the grape variety, grapes for three to four Bocksbeutel were now hanging on a stick. Whether by hand or machine – in the next few weeks the majority will be harvested and refined in the cellar.
In 2020, only 4400 liters per hectare and thus a total of around 27 million liters of grape must were processed. At 7600 liters per hectare, the average for the past 20 years is around 40 percent higher. This year the association expects an average return. With regard to the quality of Silvaner, Müller-Thurgau and Co., Steinmann expects lean, fine wines and a lower alcohol content – in very sunny years, the sugar content in the grapes and thus the alcohol content is higher. The cool nights before the harvest are ideal for fresh, delicately fruity wines, he said. “We expect very good quality, especially from the Silvaner.”