The 2022 harvest is over, undoubtedly very satisfactory for the excellent quality of the grapes. The grape harvest was well spread over the same period. In Sicily, where the climatic conditions are always extreme, the season was challenging with a good response from the vines, also thanks to timely support interventions.
Overall, it was an initially hot and dry year as in all of Italy, from the second half of August the rainfall was useful to mitigate water stress. The intense early heat resulted in very high strength and very concentrated grapes. The intense heat recorded in June, in a delicate moment for the development of the grape’s size, resulted in more mature and concentrated grapes. Wines with high alcohol content are expected, for the vines harvested in the first phase, and greater freshness for those harvested in the second phase, with decidedly interesting results for the later grapes such as Perricone and Nero d’Avola.
The Sicilian vineyards are accustomed to heat and drought due to the intrinsic characteristics of the region subjected to marked stress, especially the areas of the “hottest” provinces, i.e. those to the west, which therefore held up better. Here the grapes ripen faster. In the initial phase, late vines were favoured (Nero d’Avola, Perricone, Lucido) unlike those with early ripening (Zibibbo, Insolia, Grillo). Among other things, the lack of water and low humidity have inhibited the spread of diseases of the vine. The data from the latest harvests determine an ever higher quality, and confirm that Sicily has a good resistance to climate change. This is thanks to its position in the heart of the Mediterranean, its microclimates, its terroirs and its autochthonous varieties.
To protect the quality of the craftsmanship Assuli uses carbonic snow and dry ice, essential in the harvest to maintain the quality of the bunches and must. This practice breaks down the oxygen in the harvested grapes until they are transported to the first processing, blocking the oxidation process while maintaining the natural organoleptic characteristics of the bunches and helps in making the most of the grapes and the area from which they come.
“This year the plants show surprising vigour and the work done during the winter/spring season together with the abundant autumn rainfall, are giving us immense satisfaction in seeing such healthy plants and clusters” says Roberto Caruso, President of Assuli. And he adds “Together with the partners Assovini Sicilia we want to be spokesmen and pioneers in guiding, with new models, the future of Sicilian viticulture and developing new knowledge and know-how capable of facing the challenges related to climate change. We are proving to be more resilient and prepared”.
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