Harvest 2010
Willi Bründlmayer: 2010 vintage, summary
The year in the vineyard started with the eruption of an Icelandic volcano with an unpronounceable name, which darkened even our skies. From the very beginning, the vegetation was belated, then it rained during blossoming and the fruit set was extremely weak.
Summer was late, and the weather improved only insignificantly. Because of the low amount of grapes, however, sugar production was sufficient, with very little reduction of acidity. These conditions were ideal for sekt, which loves high-acidity base wines, but not for fuller, more mature wines, especially red wines.
September brought an end of the rains, the soil began to dry, and we could begin with the harvest. A wonderful week up to Friday 24 September could be used to the full, harvest helpers were fully occupied bringing in the grapes for our Bründlmayer Brut and Brut Rosé.
In October the sun shone brightly and the remainder of the red wine grapes could be harvested. Grapes for our classic white wines could only be brought in towards the end of the month. Manual selection was imperative and will divide the wheat from the chaff for this vintage as well as for others.
Cold November nights with temperatures down to zero made the leaves fall in November and brought a rush in grape ripening: water evaporated, acidity was reduced. The wines harvested last were outstanding.
After All Saints‘ Day only the Reserves and Erste Lagen remained to be harvested. On sites such as Käferberg, Lamm and Loiser Berg the grapes were wonderful, “perhaps the most beautiful Loiser Berg ever harvested.”
