2016 Vintage Report — Casale Marchese (Lazio, Italy)

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In autumn 2015, at the end of the harvest season, the weather was particularly rainy whereas during the winter months we have observed only very few atmospheric disturbances, which was very unusual. In practice, if we consider the overall period from September 2015 to January 2016, in the center of Italy we had only 340 mm of rainfall against an average of 468 mm. However, the lack of rain during the winter months should not be seen as particularly alarming, in any case we do not call it drought in agronomic terms when the grapevine is in a state of dormancy and the water, not being used by the plant at that particular moment, is simply going to build up the water reserve. All of this should be monitored carefully, especially if the water reserve is not properly restored during the months that are characterized by new growth. However, in early 2016, water reserves were replenished promptly thanks to abundant rainfall across our area. Winter was characterized by particularly mild temperatures that determined early bud break by mid-March, 5-10 days earlier than usual, especially in coastal areas. This phenomenon always causes particular concern in winemakers since they fear a subsequent drop in temperature at a time when the young sprout is particularly delicate and exposed. In fact, in mid-March we had some hail that brought along a sudden drop in temperature, followed by frost; all this led to a decrease in the production potential as well as to a recovery of the anticipated vegetation observed in the previous months. In mid-May, during flowering, we witnessed several violent storms emphasizing the phenomenon of blossom drop and thus contributing to a further easing of the bunch. Rainfall in June was above average, with especially the maximum temperatures below normal. This has resulted in a slowdown of the plant’s physiological cycle and in some areas in heavy pressure from fungal pathogens. At the end of June, a hot and in some areas scorching summer finally started. However the last ten days of August were characterized by a significant difference between day and night temperatures, which was decisive for the quality of the 2016 vintage. Production is above average by at least 5% but we still expect great quality. In the Castelli Romani area, the good temperature range and the excellent health status portend a great vintage with very fragrant and balanced wines. Harvest took particularly long and was interspersed with several breaks. The white and red wines made using early grape varieties are fragrant, structured and well balanced while those from late varieties appear at this moment a little less expressive, although they also show good structure and a high alcohol content. The last alcoholic fermentations appeared to be very slow due to the low initial temperatures of the grapes. At times, in the reds, the malolactic fermentation was initiated easier than usual.

2016 Vintage Report – Prosecco

The harvest in 2016 in the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene and the Province of Treviso ended confirming the enthusiasm of predictions. In the hills of Prosecco Superiore it had never harvested so late from the beginning of the millennium. Not a minor detail for the quality of the grapes, since as of September 16th is a temperature drop was recorded, which occurred in particular during the night, which allowed the grapes to maintain a good level of acidity and freshness. The analyzes of the grapes, monitored every week, they have confirmed the analytical values for the obtaining of a great aroma and a smell of freshness exciting impact. In fact the excellent quality of the grape harvest in 2016 is due to the cool night temperatures already recorded in the hills at the end of July, together with the condition of dry and breezy climate. This year once again clearly highlighted the irregular weather patterns, climatic changes occurring at global level. As always, the first grapes to fall into the baskets were those of Pinot and Chardonnay grapes for sparkling wine and the basics of the youngest of the same variety vineyards. Soon after took away the real harvest itself, which in terms of quality promises to be interesting, thanks even more to the climate of the period made of sunny days and cool nights, fundamental elements for the sugar / acidity ratio levels and the color of the grapes. These are the premises for a good year, started between strong concerns because of heavy spring rainfall, but evolved in the best way. In fact, the temperature changes of the last days with the lowering of minimum temperatures especially those featured a high quality vintage, after a mild winter and an early bud burst. Spring has registered temperatures often below average and even phenomenon of late frost, humid weather a bit ‘all over Italy but especially in the northeast putting a strain on our work to ensure the health of the grapes that we were able to skillfully deal with now reached a very high level of professionalism. Compared to 2015 this year the production of white grapes has detected a further increase of 7% determined by the increase in planted area, in particular of Glera and Pinot Grigio. Analytical parameters: This year, the average of grapes has a sugar content of 16.00 degrees / BABO, with total acidity of 6.50 g./l. and a PH of 3.35. September is the month in which the scent of rows back to wrap the man and the excitement of the first cluster comes alive: the grape harvest is always a delicate and exciting for those who cultivate the vine. In the history of farming and wine-making ritual of the harvest has always been the time where work, ingenuity and creativity finally produce their best fruit. The harvest all is carefully done by hand, picking bunch cluster to get the best quality of wine in the tradition and the environment. In fact, thanks to …

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2015 Harvest from Emilia Romagna

VINTAGE 2015 (Vintage n. 32) ANOTHER UNIQUE HARVEST by Mauro Sirri, Celli Vini I will start mentioning the first descriptive paragraph of the 2014 vintage: “In the little experience I have acquired, vintages as 2014 can be considered unique: for the seasonal pattern, the harvesting period, the great amount of work to do in the vineyard, the strategies to be adopted in the cellar. A vintage of which we can say to our children and grandchildren: “I was there”. Considering the 2015 events, we could say: “you never stop learning.” The difficulties raise and challenge our capacities, but human beings have the ability to adapt to unthinkable situations. Summer 2015 may be considered the hottest and driest that ever passed in Bertinoro. We reached maximum temperatures above 36 degrees and night temperatures that rarely fell below 20 degrees. In pre harvest time, the media normally lash out with forecasts of vintages, which for better or worse shall all be exceptional. Interviews and ads abound, and everyone tries to tell a taller tale. I’m always quite afraid to express predictions, especially when we live exceptional climatic events, such as those of 2015. The working hours in the vineyard were certainly few, the grass di not grow, the treatments we had to do were few, powdery mildew and downy mildew had no fertile soil, the harvest has passed peacefully without opening the umbrellas. So everybody was happy, but …… Experience teaches that a perfect world does not exist. First of all the drought caused a drop in production of 20-25%, a significant increase in the sugar levels and relative low acidities. Temperatures above 33 ° C tend to reduce or stop the photosynthesis, and upset the grapes’ level of ripening. Excessive sunlight and heat can cause sunburn on the grapes, etc. This means we had to interpret an extreme season and act with extreme caution, avoiding cutting those vine shoots giving shade, but at the same time trying to ventilate the bunches. We harvested in advance, checking that pH and acidity would remain adequate. The wine – making was scrupulous and careful. We tried to preserve the not excessive part of terpenes that the grapes had matured in not really favourable climatic conditions, in order to have them developed. Our rigor, our experience, HALF A CENTURY IN BOTTLE, all this will allow us to put on the table as usual wines of character that reflect a territory and speak of ANOTHER UNIQUE VINTAGE. Dear friends, I wish you all the best until next year Mauro Sirri

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