In Montalcino the harvest of Pinot Grigio and white varieties, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, which began on September 4, finished on Monday, September 16.
Exceptionally healthy grapes, with a lot of acidity and wonderfully intense varietal aromas, allowed for a 2013 vintage truly extraordinary in quality, with an average production in line with previous years.
Thanks to a vibrant acidity that provides a good length, the wines are fresh and at the same time with a rich and well-developed bouquet, and an important structure.
Since few days has started the picking of early red varieties such as Merlot and Syrah, while for the latter, such as Sangiovese, we have to wait for the beginning of next week.
The unusual and high daytime temperatures, which were reached in this last week of early autumn, along with large temperature variations between night and day, are favoring the optimal phenolic ripening of red grapes making us confident for a top quality harvest.
Meanwhile, the optimal harvest continues also at Banfi Piemonte, where on September 17 we have completed the cutting of Pinots, for Metodo Classico and Moscato, and on September 25 that of Brachetto for Rosa Regale. Just since yesterday, we are picking the Gavi. For harvesting the Albarossa we must wait at least one week more, in fact we expect to start between 7 and 10 October.
In Piedmont, too the quality of the grapes continues to be very good, with some peaks of excellence. The production is a little more abundant than in 2012 (+10/15%) and in general, we have the alcohol level of about one degree lower than last year.