Grape harvest underway

We are harvesting in Burgenland: this vintage will be great

The grapes will be harvested and processed into top-quality products.

(Bild: Birgit Machtinger)

Monday morning saw the start of the main grape harvest in Burgenland. The experts are all preparing for an outstanding wine.

As reported, the first winegrowers near Lake Neusiedl had already prepared for the start of the harvest at the end of July. Soon afterwards, the harvest of the early varieties began - almost three weeks earlier than usual. The official start of the main harvest took place yesterday.

The forecasts are promising. Burgenland's wine industry is expecting a "very good harvest". Although the yield is likely to be below average, the quality will be top, according to the tenor. "The high expectations are guaranteed to be met. The strong sun has brought the grapes to optimum ripeness, they are healthy, tasty and of the highest quality," summarizes Andreas Liegenfeld, President of the Burgenland Winegrowers' Association.

According to wine experts Andreas Liegenfeld, Herbert Oschep and Michael Allacher, we can expect some fine wines this year.

(Bild: Judt Reinhard)

Winemaker Michael Allacher from Gols can only agree with this assessment. Red wine grapes with thick skins in particular promise top quality. "This year's vintage will once again produce exquisite wines," says Wein-Burgenland chairman Herbert Oschep, looking forward to the harvest with confidence. From his point of view, this finding is completely in line with the credo "Typically Burgenland", which consistently focuses on the highest quality in viticulture. "If viticulture were an Olympic discipline, Burgenland would take first place in the medals table by a wide margin," emphasizes Oschep.

Volume will be less than in previous years
The only losses will be in the harvest volume. While the yield in 2022 was 62 hectoliters per hectare, the average yield in 2023 fell to 52.6 hectoliters. This figure is likely to be even lower this year. "Wet weather during flowering in May and drought in July and August are the reasons for this," explains Liegenfeld.

"Outstanding quality is more important to us than large harvest volumes," Oschep clarifies: "Less is more! In addition, excellent specialties from last year are available in sufficient quantities."

Another positive message for consumers: "Wine will not become significantly more expensive!"