Wine harvest in the Elbe valley: big losses, but the quality is enthusiastic!

Wine harvest in the Elbe valley: big losses, but the quality is enthusiastic!

In the picturesque Saxon Elbe valley, this year's wine harvest has now been completed after the winemakers in the region had to deal with the consequences of late frosts and weather -related challenges. Felix Hößelbarth, the chairman of the Saxony winegrowing association, reported that the harvest results will remain significantly behind the expectations. Only around 20 to 30 percent of a normal harvest can enter the winemakers this year, a fact that is mainly due to the climatic conditions in recent months.

The grapes, especially the “Golddriesling” variety, were harvested in excellent quality, despite the small amount. Thanks to the sunny weather and mild temperatures, the grapes were able to mature healthy, without a lot of putrefaction. "Wonderful, healthy grapes," enthuses Hößelbarth and continues that the harvest would usually have been better if the unhappy weather conditions had not been put in the thread. Despite these circumstances, the wine lovers are not completely lost, since the Saxon Elbe valley can also come up with a good amount of grapes from the previous years.

optimism for future years

The wine harvest took place two to three weeks earlier than usual this year, which was partly thanks to the premature shoot of the vines. This development made the harvest phase a little more complicated because the grapes matured differently. Martin Junge from the Saxon State Winut Schloss Wackerbarth said that you fought for every vine, and despite the major challenges, you can still take some positive aspects with you.

The vines are well fed and vital thanks to the previous good weather conditions, which gives the winegrowers hope for the born in 2025. "The vines are brimming with vitality," said Hößelbarth, while noting that they were able to better use the resources. The winemakers are confident that the vines that had to produce fewer grapes will be more resistant and productive in the coming season. "We believe that the conditions for the 2025 season are optimal," he adds.

In addition, the harvest was assessed as high quality due to the high must weights with low acid values. Junge said that these properties offer a solid basis for the cellar champions in the coming year to produce wines of high quality and idiosyncrasy. "Fine fruity, elegant and from finesse", he describes the expected drops.

Despite the challenges with which the winemakers were confronted, there is great confidence that the quality of the wines can compensate for the defects in the crowd. "We are able to deliver, wine lovers do not have to fear that nothing can be served," emphasizes Hößelbarth. The region has a long wine -growing tradition and despite the difficulties, the winemakers are determined to continue their art and maintain wine quality.

The current harvest numbers illustrate the difficult location of the Saxon viticulture, but also leave space for hopes for upcoming years. For more detailed information on the harvesting conditions and the outlook on wine production in Saxony, see the current reporting on www.merkur.de .