Harvest Update - Europe, September 2024
The latest from the vineyards of France, Spain and Italy
Below is an update on conditions, picking and early crop expectations in the vineyards of France, Spain and Italy. The information is correct as of September 17th when it was published in September’s Ciatti Global Market Report.
France
August temperatures across the growing areas of southern France were high but not as extreme as in recent years, with only a few days beyond 35-36°C (95-97°F) and conditions mainly stable. Ripening of the white grapes caught up after a slower start, with growers revising their plans and moving into the vineyards to pick ahead of last year’s timetable; in general, timing is in line with the five-year average.
Growers have said the crop has been coming in lighter than average and indeed wineries have confirmed juice yields have been lower than expected. There have also been reports of a significant production shortfall in the Pyrénées-Orientales and the eastern part of the neighbouring Aude department – by as much as 70% – due to lack of water.
Given this news from the Languedoc, combined with the mildew pressure evident earlier in the season in South West, our tentative expectation is a for a lower-than-average crop in southern France as a whole.
On 6th September, France’s Ministry of Agriculture published its latest projection of the national crop: 39.3 million hectolitres, down 18% from 2023 and 11% down from the five-year average, and representing a downward revision from early August’s estimate of 40-43 million hectolitres. The ministry cited spring conditions that led to coulure (shatter) and millerandage in many regions as particular causes of the crop’s lightness.
Spain
Mid-August brought to Castilla-La Mancha the kind of intense heatwaves Spain is well-used to, but some relieving rainfall subsequently arrived at the end of the month into early September, perfectly-timed to freshen-up the vineyards and boost the juice content of the grapes.
The rainfall did not cause any damage or disease pressure and has ensured the picking timetable is adhering to a normal pace – last year it ran 7-10 days in advance – and, consequently, there is quiet confidence of a good-sized crop. The harvest should be completed, as is normal, at the start of October.
Italy
It has been another challenging growing year in Italy, with most regions having experienced all or a combination of the following issues: spring rain, hail, mildew pressure, summer drought, and extreme temperatures.
A significant anticyclone emanating from North Africa caused temperatures to soar through July and August, peaking at well above 40°C (104°F) in various regions of both the north and south. Harvest was underway across the peninsula by the end of the first week of September, with vineyard conditions varying greatly between the regions.
Tentative early crop estimates in most regions are short of their long-term averages, with Sicily’s estimated shortfall – of 30-35% – currently looking the severest. The Pinot Grigio DOC harvest has been heterogeneous in Veneto, depending on area: the number and weight of clusters per vine have been, on average, slightly lower than last year, and the juice yield has been less than the average – a 10% reduction in the final volume is deemed probable. Prosecco/Glera yields currently appears stable with 2023.