Harvest in Emilia-Romagna nears

Many producers in Emilia-Romagna are still waiting to harvest their Sangiovese but are confident of a good crop in both size and quality.

Owing to the wide difference in micro climates in the region, some producers have already started, some have nearly finished but most are waiting for another week or so before beginning.

Luciano Zeoli of Fattoria Monticino Rosso in Imola told the drinks business he was expecting a good harvest for his whites, Albana and Malvasia, as the acidity is high and the season was “not too hot and with cool nights,” while for the reds, “the next few days are key. If they’re good then it’ll be a good season for them too.”

Meanwhile, further towards Rimini, Mauro Giardini of Villa Venti had already finished his harvest save for some small parcels which are being kept longer as part of an experiment to age wines in clay pots.

Maulro Sirri of Celli in Bertinoro was also waiting for the red harvest to begin and said while it was 10-15 days later than last year, it was actually a case of returning to normal.

“We should finish on the 15-20 October,” he told db, “and actually from mid-September to mid-October was the usual harvest period in the past.”

In fact, he added, last year was something of an anomaly.

“Last year was difficult, especially for the whites as it was too hot.”