German wine harvest 2024: Quantity of small, but fruity not too heavy wines to be expected

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Written by Dieter Simon · October 26, 2024 · 151

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photo credit: amedeoemaja - Adobestock

Late frosts, a wet year and changeable weather during the grape harvest required strong commitment and maximum flexibility from the winegrowers. As a result of the extreme weather conditions, harvest quantities were significantly lower than average nationwide. Nevertheless, wine lovers can rejoice, because:

Fruity-light mineral wines to be expected

However, the rainy year also had positive effects on the development of the vines. Due to the good water supply, they were able to store many minerals from the soil in the grapes, which means that extract-rich wines with pronounced minerality can be expected. In addition, the long ripening phase has had a positive effect on the aroma formation in the berries. The 2024 vintage will therefore create fresh, lively wines with pronounced fruit. Thanks to moderate alcohol contents, the wines are also somewhat lighter overall this year and thus correspond perfectly to the currently sought-after wine type.

7.9 million hectolitres of wine must nationwide

According to the German Wine Institute (DWI) on the basis of a current estimate by the German Winegrowers' Association, a harvest volume of around 7.9 million hectolitres of wine must is expected nationwide. This would correspond to a ten percent minus compared to the ten-year average of 8.8 million hectolitres and of around nine percent compared to the previous year.

However, as a result of the extreme weather conditions, the harvest quantities were subject to great fluctuations depending on the growing region, grape variety and microclimate. They ranged from normal yield to total loss and mostly fell far short of expectations. The losses are particularly severe in the east, which is mainly due to late frosts. The two largest German wine-growing regions, Rheinhessen and Palatinate, have been largely spared from frost. With a minus of four percent, the Palatinate is only slightly below the previous year's level and Rheinhessen is even above it with an increase of seven percent.

Source: Deutsches Weininstitut