In Germany’s southwest regions, the vines have begun to flower! In cooler regions, the onset of flowering is expected within the next days.
Fortunately, the forecasted weather conditions in Germany mean wine producers can expect a rapid and undisturbed flowering period.
Good flowering gives hope for a good harvest
The winegrowers follow the flowering of the vines with great excitement every year. If it runs without problems, they can hope for a good harvest. Cool temperatures during this phase result in less fruit set and correspondingly reduced yields.
Harvest expected for mid-September
The timing of this year’s flowering is in line with the long-term average. As fertilisation and fruit set follow soonafter, it also marks the beginning of grape development. The grapes are expected to be ready for harvest in 90 to 100 days from then. The current stage of development means that the main harvest for the 2023 vintage can be expected to begin around mid-September.
However, the first early-ripening grapes for the production of “Federweißer” (partly fermented so called “new wine”) will be harvested as early as the end of August.
A mix of sun and rain would be ideal
For the time leading up to harvest, winegrowers wish for many sunny, yet not too hot, days mixed with phases of extensive downpours in order to maintain the currently good water supply for the vines.
