Grape production in Northern Italy's Piacenza wine region has fallen below average this year, however, high quality produce is providing optimism for the 2017 grape harvest, according to Italian news agency Ansa.
In Val Tidone, many wine-growers have been surprised to find extra-large bunches of grapes in their vineyards. One reported having a bunch of Bonarda grapes that was 38cm in length and 20cm wide.
“We are recording a decline of 30% in production,” one wine-grower said, “but we need to highlight the high quality of this grape harvest.”
Production Concern
Italian farmers' association Coldiretti is forecasting a 4.7% growth in Italian wine exports this year compared to 2016, when exports reached a total of €5.6 billion.
However, the group has expressed concern about the 2017 grape harvest. Wine production is expected to fall by 10-15% compared to last year's 51.6 million hectolitres, mainly due to a mild winter, frost damage, persistent drought and localised hailstorms.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Francesca Volpe. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
