2015 Chianti vintage ‘one of the hottest’ in last century

The average September and October temperatures across Tuscany were the highest seen in decades, reported one winemaker.

Sangiovese vines in the San Fabiano estate

Averardo Borghini Baldovinetti, winemaker of the Fattoria San Fabiano estate in Arezzo has described this year’s harvest as “ideal” with early bud break, a long cycle of ripening and a late harvest.

“After a difficult 2014 with a lack of sun and too much rainfall, producers welcomed this hot vintage,” he said.

“Last year, we had ripening issues and problems arising from disease and pests, but as the winter in 2014 was so wet, the vineyards this spring woke up to good water storage.”

Baldovinetti’s vineyards in the hills surrounding Arezzo, includes its classic Chianti San Fabiano, Armaiolo a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet, Chiaro San Fabiano made with Chardonnay and Viognier and its Vin Santo, a blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and Chardonnay.

“The providential rains at the end of August freshened the temperatures and restored the perfect conditions for the grapes to continue their process of growing and the thickening of the skins. September was warm and dry, with very few showers consolidating the ripening and bringing the ideal conditions for harvest.”

“The white grapes were harvested at the end of August up to the beginning of September; the Sangiovese and the Cabernet were picked starting from the 20 September until the beginning of October. The production quantity is 5% lower if compared to last year (which was abundant and of minor quality!) and thus in-line with the average production of the Chianti area.”

This year’s soaring temperatures have been attributed to the increasing effects of global warming, which another Tuscan winemaker has noted as being beneficial to Chianti’s grape-growing.

Baldovinetti commented that despite Chianti “flooding the market,” prices should remain steady as winemakers seek to produce higher quality wine in competition.

“The good news is that more and more producers are moving to the “Chianti Superiore” and “Gran Selezione” level and as a vintage, 2015 is on track to produce some fine examples.”