Wines of Germany 2006 Vintage Report
Early Harvest Allows for Higher Quality
October 27, 2006, Mainz, Germany
The German grape harvest has rarely been completed as quickly as it was this year; picking was
particularly accelerated in regions south of the Rheingau due to heavy autumn rainfall. Fortunately,
modern harvesting and vinification techniques have been optimised in the last few years, which allowed
for careful but speedy harvesting and initial wine processing to take place around the clock.
“The extreme rainfall made things a little difficult for winegrowers in some areas, but overall
we are happy with the condition of the grapes, particularly with regards to their ripeness levels,”
says Norbert Weber, President of the German Winegrowers Association. “Record must weights of over
200° Oechsle were achieved; which will mean that we will see a large number of Prädikat level
wines.”
The German Wine Institute (DWI) expects the vintage to deliver full flavored wines with pronounced
minerality and a fresh and harmonious balance between fruit and acid. Reds will be the stars of the
vintage, rich in both colour and body.
As well as advancing the date of the harvest, the rain caused the onset of rot, so the winemakers had
to harvest selectively to avoid rotten or unripe grapes. This means that the yield is smaller than
originally predicted.
“At around 9 million hl the yield will be at a similar level to last year and lower than the
five year average of around 9.7 million hl,” explains Weber.
The total yield for Europe is expected to be larger than usual at around 180 million hl.
Overview of Results in the Individual Wine-Growing Regions
Ahr
Oechsle ratings in the Ahr were very high, almost on a par with those in 2003; 100° Oechsle
for Pinot Noir was not uncommon and even Müller-Thurgau reached must weights of around 75°
Oechsle. The Ahr suffered less rainfall than more southerly regions. Harvest began with
Frühburgunder in early September and was largely completed by mid-October. Acidity levels were
moderate in ripe grapes. With a good yield of around 440,000 hl, producers in the Ahr are pleased with
both quality and quantity this year.
Baden
The harvest in Baden lasted for 3-4 weeks; it was extremely labor intensive as selective
picking was of the utmost importance – resulting in yields that were lower than initially
predicted. The final volume is expected to be around 1,100,000 hl - 12% less than in 2005.
Tauberfranken, in the north of the Baden region, received considerably less rainfall than other areas
making the situation easier here. Overall the expectation is that there will be around 40% more premium
wines in Baden than usual. The young wines are well structured with moderate acidity and fine fruit
aromas; the Pinot wines have particularly good potential.
Franken
The harvest in Franken was completed by October 20th as vine growers reacted fast to the
heavy rainfall on October 3rd, picking immediately to safeguard a quality crop. Conditions up to the 3rd
October were generally dry and some early ripening varieties such as Müller-Thurgau and Bacchus had
already been harvested in advance of the rain. Overall Franken expects a good to very good vintage, and
with an average must weight of around 90° Oechsle and a good number of premium wines. The yield is a
healthy 470,000 hl. Full bodied wines with pronounced acidity and intense aromas are expected.
Hessische Bergstrasse
At the start of the harvest in mid-September producers in the Hessischen
Bergstrasse region were already picking Müller-Thurgau grapes for TBA wine with an Oechsle level of
305° - a good sign for ripeness levels in the region this vintage. Riesling weights are above 90°
Oechsle and Pinot Noir even higher. As with last year the yield is relatively low at around 30,000 hl.
White wines will be complex with pronounced minerality; reds full bodied and fairly powerful.
Mittelrhein
Riesling from the steep slopes of the Mittelrhein averaged around 100° Oechsle with
lower acidity than last year but with good levels of tartaric. All other varieties reached above average
must weights. Total yield is anticipated to be 35,000hl which considerably exceeds last years’
10,000 hl.
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer
Unsettled weather conditions in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer didn’t always act in the
growers favour. High humidity led to the early development of the grapes which forced an early harvest.
Handpicking was, once again, essential on the steep slopes to ensure high quality grapes. Must weights
averaged between 90 and 100° Oechsle but there will certainly be some noble sweet wines. Wines with
good mineral character and moderate acidity are anticipated. The yield is noticeably lower than 2005 with
around 850,000hl.
Nahe
Producers in the Nahe also got off to an early start with the September rains leading to an
advanced harvest which was completed by October 20th. The grapes showed good physiological ripeness with
must weights of 100°Oechsle not uncommon. Young wines will show good fruit character balanced by
subtle acidity. The yield is similar in quantity to 2005 with a figure of 310,000 but the quantity of
Riesling is slightly lower.
Pfalz
The Pfalz harvest was finished in record time – heavy thunderstorms and selective
harvesting led to a lower than average yield of 2,100,000 hl. Despite this must weights were good with
reds, especially Dornfelder, reaching 80° Oechsle. A high quality vintage is expected with wines
promising to be fruit driven, fresh and well structured.
Rheingau
The Rheingau experienced a good vintage; must weights averaging 90° Oechsle led to over
half of production being destined for premium wines. Auslese and Beerenauslese wines will also be
plentiful this year. Pinot Noir thrived this year. The harvest ended on October 20th. Overall the yield
will be slightly higher than 2005 at 240,000 hl.
Rheinhessen
The harvest in Rheinhessen was considerably shorter than average finishing mid October
with a considerable amount harvested by hand. Thanks to a sunny September must weights were quite high
with Riesling averaging 90° Oechsle. High quality, elegant white wines with good varietal character
are expected. Red wines benefited enormously from the hot September weather and will be full bodied and
deep in color.
Saale-Unstrut
Winemakers in the Saale-Unstrut region enjoyed favourable weather conditions.
Harvesting was quick but not as accelerated in some regions, starting in September and ending in
mid-October. Grapes reached surprisingly high must weights, with Silvaner around 100° Oechsle,
balanced by a streak of acidity. The wines are showing greater maturity than last year’s vintage
at this stage. The yield is 50% greater than last year at 40,000 hl.
Sachsen
A sunny September with warm days and cool nights meant harvest started a little early in
Sachsen. Winemakers in the most easterly German winegrowing region were content with healthy grapes, a
yield of 20,000hl and are expectant of a high quality vintage.
Württemberg
Producers in Württemberg are expecting good quality wines, with a slight
improvement on last year’s vintage. Late harvest grapes were picked in the red and Riesling
vineyards. The yield will be around 1,000,000 hl, 10% less than that of 2005 due to the use of selective
hand picking in many vineyards. The harvest was completed by October 20th with quality declared as high
particularly for red varieties. Whites are expected to be fruit driven.
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