This year’s harvest yields positive results despite poor weather conditions in last two months
Montefalco, November 21, 2014 – The Montefalco Consortium (Consorzio Tutela Vini di Montefalco) — the body that represents all producers from the eponymous winemaking area in Umbria — has reported a +20% increase in production for the 2014 harvest compared to the previous year. The area, which produces Montefalco Rosso DOC and Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG wines, experienced a difficult summer season with higher levels of rainfall and temperatures below seasonal average. Despite these challenges, the harvest was positive.
“It was a technically difficult year, but results are high quality and we’re pleasantly surprised,” said Consortium President Amilcare Pambueffetti. The grape harvest, beginning August 20 and ending October 31, included 74 DOCG Montefalco Sagrantino wineries. Despite the weather conditions during the last two months, good weather prevailed during grape growing season, allowing for high quality grapes at the moment of harvest.
Sagrantino, the only grape used in the production of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, fared slightly better than Sangiovese, which comprises 60 to 70% of Montefalco Rosso DOC blends, as the latter is more easily affected by environmental adversity. “Overall, 2014 wines will be characterized by good balance and acidity, low alcohol content and sugar concentration, and interesting aromatic traits,” Pambueffetti said.
According to Consortium data, total production will reach 19,000 hectoliters for Montefalco Rosso DOC (compared to 15,800 in 2013) and 7,500 hectoliters for Sagrantino DOCG (compared to 6,000 in 2013). The data proves promising for exports, particularly the United States as the #1 foreign market of Italian wines, followed by Canada and China. In Europe, major markets include Germany, Belgium and Denmark.
About the Montefalco Consortium (Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco)
Since 1981, wine producers of Montefalco have joined together in the Montefalco Consortium. This organization is responsible for coordinating with local producers and guiding them in both constant quality research and the promotion of the quintessential wines of their territory. The Consortium guarantees the high standards of production and promoting both Montefalco Sagrantino and Montefalco Rosso around the world.
The Consortium’s main responsibilities are:
- Protection of the viticulture in the production zone and of the Montefalco denomination wines;
- Promotion of the Montefalco denomination wines;
- Surveillance to prevent abuse, fraud or irregular use of the denominations.
For more information, please visit www.consorziomontefalco.it.
