This year's German wine harvest is expected to come in at a similar volume level to 2007.
In its harvest report for 2008, trade body the German Wine Institute said yesterday (2 December) that the overall yield for 2008 from the country's winemakers is expected to come in at between 10m and 10.5m hectolitres. This compares well to the 10.3m hectolitres delivered in 2007.
The crop yielded good to very good Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA) and Prädikat wines in all regions, with a slightly higher proportion of QbA than last year, the organisation said.
"After favourable weather conditions in summer, temperamental weather during autumn proved quite challenging for wine-growers," the institute added. "Relatively cool temperatures and intermittent periods of rain in September curbed the ripening process, although Silvaner and late-ripening varieties, such as Riesling and Spätburgunder, profited from the sunny weather in late autumn, assisting the development of typical varietal aromas."
"This year, German wine enthusiasts can look forward to lively, light white wines with a fresh, fruity acidity - the wine profile that is currently in vogue," said institute managing director Monika Reule. "The reds are also promising and rich in colour."
Moselland's chief winemaker, Mathias Krämer, added: "Overall quality was slightly above average, including some promising Spätlese wines. The 2008 vintage is very similar to the 2004 vintage, which delivered very lively, fruit driven and durable wines."
Sectors: Wine
