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Austria 2006: Vineyards benefit from Indian Summer
The importance of the terroir
The importance of the terroir
Actually, vines adapt easily if they have been planted in their preferred environment and if consideration has been given to growing conditions and soil requirements. Grapes that ripen late should therefore not be planted in cooler vineyard sites because of growth problems. Similarly, grapes that are vulnerable to diseases will not be found in humid terrain, as there is a higher risk of fungal infection. Austrian wine-growers are familiar with the terrain where grapes grow best and have further widened their knowledge in the past few years.
Vines have survived the recent changes in climate well
After germinating relatively late this year and because of changeable weather during the bloom in June, which caused a reduced setting of the vine particularly with the Grüner Veltliner, there was a period of heat and dryness in Austrian vineyards in July. However, due to good water reserves built up during the late autumn of 2005 and to a long and snowy winter, drought has caused almost no damage. Vines have deep roots, therefore the ground water has produced strong growth in the leaves. Wine-growers were required to work carefully, particularly when exposing the growth zone of the grapes, when topping the terminal of shoots, when breaking out the side shoots, and so on. Nevertheless, isolated incidences of leaf diseases like downy mildew were registered in some areas. This year, the setting of the grapes was satisfactory, although some areas reported smaller quantities for a few grape varieties. Also, the humid August required even more careful work in the vineyards.
At the end of August, the vineyards were in excellent shape, most of them with copious foliage and healthy grapes. The period of fine weather beginning in September considerably increased the ripening process of the grapes. The forecast of a warm Indian summer promises another excellent Austrian Vintage with the expectation of a harvest of around 2.4 million hl.
Some excerpts concerning the harvest 2006
Roman Pfaffl, Lower Austria: "The grape harvest yield in the Weinviertel is down by 20%, but because of the sugar level, the quality is outstanding with 100% healthy grapes!"
Hannes Hirsch, Lower Austria: "With Riesling, somehow we have a smaller yield this year. However, the quality is stunning - which can be seen by the golden yellow colour, and in the crispness and finesse! The Grüner Veltliner yield is lower - by around 30% - but the quality is very good. I´m proud of the balance of quality between the sites and varieties."
Silvia Prieler, Burgenland: "In Burgenland, we are happy about the very fine quality of the grapes - healthy and without Botrytis. Despite an average yield, the 2006 vintage is nearly perfect. Because of the sunny days, we can show very good red wines."
Gerhard Wohlmuth, Styria: "This year, Styrian Sauvignon Blanc grew wonderfully with a high level of ripeness. And it´s marked by a special playfulness. The vintage this year in Styria is rather average. But because of the sunny days and the ideal weather, the quality of the 2006 vintage is certainly one to be proud of.”
Fritz Wieninger, Vienna: "It is a rare and positive occurrence when the qualities of both white and red wines are equally high, and even the yield is satisfying. We would be happy to have years like this more often."
Michael Thurner, Managing Director of AWMB: "2006 could be a top vintage, just like 2005. The sunny days of late Fall have enabled high physiological ripeness and good acidity structure. It surely will be a typical Austrian vintage, with 2.4 million hectoliters - a bit under the overall annual average."