In the Jurtschitsch wine estate this year’s vintage has started

In the Jurtschitsch wine estate this year’s vintage has started, We were facing quite an exciting vegetation period this year again; the winter was very mild and dry. Springtime was just as mild and subsequently initiated an early vegetation period with an early bloom. The summer was comparatively hot with temperature records of up to 40°C in July, whereas August was just as warm and dry as usual. According to the early start of the vegetation period maturation started equally soon in the year: this week we started bringing in the precocious Rivaner. Then we continued with the grapes for the Rosé from the Zweigelt and the freshly fruity GrüVe®.

The condition of the berries is still very good, because last week’s rain was not absorbed into the berries by the vines, but the water was able to flow off into the primary rock layers of the ground as if flowing through a sieve. Also on the loess grounds the water percolated through to the deeper layers of the ground, because we generally have relatively dry subsoil due to the low precipitation of the last two years.

The first grapes and cider sample showed that a physiologically very mature vintage with a slightly lower sugar content and a pleasant acidity is to be expected. The berries are also very aromatic. At present we are having the ideal temperatures with great differences between day and night, which support the aroma forming in the final stages of maturity. For 2007 we therefore reckon again with an aromatic and in comparison to last year’s vintage with a more drinkable wine with lower alcohol content.

September 12th, 2007