'Promising' Alsace harvest kicks off three weeks early

Published: 16 September, 2011

This year's Alsace harvest began three weeks early, with AOC Crémant d'Alsace starting on August 25 and Grand Cru on September 7.

Earlier harvesting due to ripeness or grape condition is permitted with the authorisation of INAO.

The 2011 harvest is therefore three weeks early as it usually commences around September 15 for the AOC Crémant d'Alsace and October 1 for the Alsace and Alsace Grand Cru AOCs.

The grapes are healthy thanks to an early, hot and dry spring, which stressed the vines, followed by a wet July, which led to good growth.

The estimated volume of the 2011 harvest is 1,150,000 hectolitres - the same as the average volume over the last five years. 2010 stood out for its low yield - 911,000 hl.

The Comité Régional d'Experts des Vins d'Alsace (CRINAO) has announced the following 2011 harvest commencement dates:

AOC Crémant d'Alsace

August 25

AOC Alsace

September 7 for Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.
September 12 for the other varieties.

AOC Alsace Grand Cru

Harvest for all the Alsace Grands Crus lieux-dits began on September 7 for Pinot Gris and September 12 for the other varieties.

The following Alsace Grands Crus lieux-dits have different harvest dates: Pfingstberg and Bruderthal, Praelatenberg, Altenberg de Bergheim and Kanzlerberg.

Harvesting for the AOC wines declared as Vendanges Tardives and Sélections de Grains Nobles, which must be hand-picked, can take place from September 21 for Pinot Gris and September 26 for the threeother varieties (Riesling, Muscat and Gewurztraminer.)

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