1998 VINTAGE REPORTRiesling "Rules" for Top Quality Levels Mainz, Germany, January 28, 1999 The 1998 vintage wines are described as fine and fruity with good varietal character, harmonious acidity and a strong, full flavor. Good quantities of Qualitätswein (QbA) and Kabinett level wines from all grape varieties were produced in 1998 with higher quality levels being produced primarily from late ripening varieties, the resilient Riesling and Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). The return to average quantities was a welcome relief amongst many producers after the previous small harvests of 1995, 1996, and 1997 had resulted in drastically shrinking inventories and shortages of some varietals. Higher quantities also result in price stability, welcome news for consumers around the world who can continue to enjoy the excellent price-value relationship of German wines on the world market. Course of vegetation The winter of 97/98 remained free of frost damage. The first few months of 1998 were mild with temperatures above average. A moisture deficit from the pervious months was carried over and the lack of winter moisture increased the deficit. Early blooming and growth were triggered by the mild temperatures at the beginning of the year, but luckily a cold spell at the end of March and the middle of April put the brakes on a premature growth. Shooting was generally earlier than normal and proceeded regularly. May brought bright sunshine for a majority of the wine regions with temperatures in some areas climbing to summer levels and furthering steady development of the vines. June began with slightly above normal hours of sunshine and corresponding temperatures and an occasional rain temporarily relaxed the increasing drought. Blossoming began slightly early, but was drastically set back by falling temperatures. A return to warm to hot weather in the last third of the month brought blooming to a conclusion without notable losses. Development of the grapes in July were below normal, but rain and some warm days were positive. At the end of the month, temperatures climbed and the first half of August brought extremely warm, record-breaking temperatures. As a result of the heat wave and lack of rainfall, many areas experienced stagnated growth. Sunburn damage and dried-out berries in unusually high proportions were reported. Symptoms of drought distress were alleviated in September which began with cool temperatures and with the longed for rain showers that continued regularly, with few exceptions, measuring more than twice the normal rainfall for the month. The sun shone again at the end of the month bring warmer weather and a slow beginning of the harvest in hopes of a golden October and a dry harvesting season. Unfortunately, the hopes were not fulfilled, and the hurricanes of the American east coast sent their wet followers to middle Europe, where constant rain threatened grape quality and greatly complicated harvesting measures. In light of the prognosis that better weather was not on the way the decision was made for a swift harvest. Every break in the weather, day and night, were used to bring in the grape harvest. Finally, in the last half of October, sunny breaks in the weather made it possible for late-ripening varieties, such as Riesling, to gain quality and make higher quality "prädikats" wine plentiful. An early deep cold in November brought the possibility of an Eiswein harvest to nearly all regions in very good quantities, rounding out the vintage very nicely, indeed. |
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