Franciacorta - 2009 vintage to be of high quality due to reduction of yield

Although weather conditions are currently looking normal (there were no problems with drought or hail), and the budding time is also in accordance with median values of recent years, it is anticipated that the 2009 vintage will show a premature vegetative development due to higher average temperatures. The agronomists at the Consorzio´s technical office have predicted the grape harvest to take place 10 to 15 days earlier than last year.

The decision to move up the harvest was taken mainly based on initial measurements taken in the vineyards in the past few days. These showed clearly that the number of grapes is slightly lower than the average, and that the fruit-set (respectively the conversion of the blossom into a fruit) has taken place at a lower rate than usual. For this reason, a slightly lower potential yield (-5%/ -8%) is expected

According to Silvano Brescianini, vice president of the consortium, "the qualitative balance of the production cannot be a fixed number which can be considered independently from the evolution of the vintage". He added: "The maximum amount depend on different factors such as climate or the evolution of the plants. Updating the regulations allows us to adjust the yield up-and downwards. And today, we thought it would be right to suggest a reduction of the maximum yield due to the data available to us in order to ensure that the high level of quality can be maintained".

"I am really satisfied about the collective awareness", said Maurizio Zanella, president of the Consortzio and added: "I am sure that this is the right way to further pursue the goal of continuously increasing quality." (aw.yoopress)