2002 VINTAGE REPORT
Germany's 2002 Harvest Ends on High Note
December Frost Yields Eiswein
New York, Jan. 17, 2003…Producers throughout Germany's 13 wine-growing regions
ended the 2002 harvest on a high note, as an unusually early freeze in the first half of
December answered hopes for the unctuous rarity, Eiswein.
"An abundance of Eiswein caps off another remarkable vintage," said Armin
Göring, director of the German Wine Institute. "Though lack of botrytis in 2002
limited production of other dessert wines, the clean, healthy condition of the grapes,
coupled with the very early frost provided perfect circumstances for Eiswein
production."
According to the German Wine Growers' Association in Bonn, Germany, the total harvest is
estimated to be 10.8 million hectoliters, some 7 percent greater than the ten-year average
(10.1 million hl) and an increase of 19 percent over the small 2001 crop. Although wet
weather in October dampened the outlook for yet another "vintage of the century,"
growers have good reason to be pleased with the excellent quality of the vintage. Solid wines
of every quality level will be available, and the new wines sampled thus far show a fine,
mouth-filling fruitiness and clean varietal character.
The Growing Season
Weather conditions during 2002 were quite contrary. In most regions, the winter months
passed without incident or problems, with the exception of some frost damage in low-lying
sites, primarily in the Franken, Pfalz and Rheinhessen regions and to a lesser extent in
Baden and Württemberg. Sufficient precipitation provided a good water supply by the
start of vegetation, and temperatures were relatively mild as early as mid-February and well
above average in March. In early April, however, the mercury fell to below freezing and frost
damage ensued. Bud burst was a few days earlier than usual, despite frequent periods of
rain.
After a damp start in May, the grapes developed very quickly. Day- and night-time
temperatures were pleasant to very warm in June, and led to an early blossoming-a bit slow at
the start, but it then proceeded rapidly and concluded within just a few days. In all, fruit
set was good and yielded loose clusters of berries that continued to develop quickly. At the
same time, there were symptoms of stress in sites with shallow soils, where the warmth of
late spring and early summer had sapped water supplies, supplies that were more than
replenished by rainfall in July. Late July and early August was stormy, sometimes accompanied
by hail, followed by a dry, sunny phase during which some grapes suffered sunburn. Ripening
of the berries was early, as was leaf discoloration of red varieties. Must weights increased
quickly and by mid-September, the harvest of early-ripening varieties was well underway.
The Harvest
The first half of the harvest took place at a good pace and under good weather conditions
with warm days, cool nights and steady, easterly winds that helped alleviate potential fungus
problems. The "Indian Summer" did not last, however, and from mid-October onward
the weather was variable, and often wet, causing problems for estates that still faced their
main harvest of Riesling and other late-ripening varieties. The main harvest lasted well into
November and required a great deal of patience and flexibility to wait for dry periods in
which to gather grapes. Fortunately, grapes remained healthy and continued to ripen, due
primarily to the overall excellent growing season and to quality-oriented viticultural
measures undertaken, such as stringent pruning and selective harvesting. Nevertheless, the
weather during the second half of the main harvest did not suffice to bring about the highest
hopes for yet another "vintage of the century." Overall, must weights were above
average and the vintage 2002 provides excellent supplies of very good quality QbA through
Spätlese wines.
Following the main harvest, many growers left select portions of the vineyards unpicked in
hopes of producing Eiswein. Regulations for Eiswein production in Germany are strict,
requiring grapes to freeze on the vine and be picked and crushed while frozen. Normally, the
consistent freezing temperatures necessary do not occur in Germany until very late in
December or even in early January. And, the longer the grapes are left hanging, the greater
the losses to various forms of rot, birds or other foraging animals.
"Eiswein is always a gamble," said Carol Sullivan, executive director of the
German Wine Information Bureau, "but in 2002 the payoff is greater and more
wide-spread."
In early December, a hard frost enabled Eiswein production throughout Germany's 13
wine-growing regions. Due to the healthy condition of the grapes the quantities of Eiswein
production were significantly higher than usual.
Market Demand
This news about the quality and quantity of the 2002 vintage is welcomed by German wine
importers in this country. U. S. consumer demand and recognition for high quality German
Riesling wines has increased significantly in the past few years; a fact that was confirmed
by 2002 research conducted by the German Wine Institute and the French trade group CFCE. The
research revealed that Riesling was second only to Chardonnay amongst U.S. consumers most
recent white wine consumption. The already heightened awareness and interest in Riesling has
been even further enhanced by the crescendo of acclaim received by the 2001 vintage wines
currently on the market and selling quickly.
"In light of the ongoing renaissance for high-quality German wines at home and
abroad," said Göring, "the marketing prospects for the 2002 vintage are
excellent."
Vintage statistics
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