From vineyard to cellar November 2013

To understand the scope of this, consider the following: in an entire year, the Rheingau gets between 450 and 550 liters of rain. So this was an incredible amount for one month, not least during the month when the main harvest takes place. There was no hope of getting around without rain boots.

Then there were the very high temperatures. Even in late October, we had daytime temperatures of up to 22°C (71.6°F) and at night, it was seldom below 15°C (59°F). In other words, perfect conditions for grapes to start rotting. And they did. Hardly a vineyard in the Rheingau wasn't affected. There was one saving grace compared with 2006: there was no acetic acid. The crazy thing about this year's crop was that the grapes actually tasted good. The musts also tasted good and fermented really well and without problems. We worked with extremely painstaking care and very selectively, separating bunches and grapes like mad. Even the musts of the grapes we sorted tasted good. After all the work, frazzled nerves, and sleepless nights, that was a genuine ray of hope.

The really big problem with vintage 2013 is the quantity. Unfortunately. After 2010, this was the next smallest harvest and that will pose financial problems. The coming year will be a difficult one. I'm anxious to see whether the trade, particularly the big players, will remain loyal to German wine or whether - as in 2010 - they'll immediately seek alternatives. Prices will definitely rise. Since a large portion of the trade is very sensitive to price increases and reacts accordingly with shelf space allocation, vintage 2013 will probably result in German wine losing more and more shelf space. For many, supplier loyalty is irrelevant. Like I said, I'm anxious...

By and large the harvest was completed in early November. It will go down as one of the swiftest in history. Things remained tense right up to the end. Fortunately, there was some sun in early November, although my weather apps are often contradictory. If there's anything I learned from his year's harvest, then it's the fact that I will never again depend on any kind of weather forecast...