2021年酒莊最繁忙的收割季節經已過去，Piemonte 巨人Gaia酒莊剛發表了2021的年份報告。
簡單來說2021年是一個遲採收的年份，是乾及凍的年份，但有良好的日夜溫差；葡萄的體積比平常的細少，屬於中型體積。成熟緩慢令葡萄有良好的酸度，葡萄皮厚，包含豐富的香氣，顏色及結構。
發酵的時間較長平均用了一個月的時間，釀造出來的酒酒體豐滿，尾韻長，酒精度較高，單寧充沛，但怡人而不澀，複雜有結構，酸度平衡。
由字面上看又是另一優良年份。
年份報告原文如下
2021 was a late harvest that produced complex and structured wines, balanced by high acidity. In general, it was a dry but cool vintage, with excellent diurnal temperature variations. A vintage that demonstrates well the unique qualities of the diverse areas.
The grapes were smaller than average, the bunches were generally medium-sized, the grapes ripened slowly and well and they maintained noteworthy acid concentrations.
The fermentation progressed very slowly, with an average duration of one month and 20 days for both whites and reds. The skins were thick and rich in aromas, color and structure, which produced wines of important volume and fullness with a long finish, full-bodied and savory, with higher than usual alcohol levels.
There is a higher concentration of tannins in Barolo than in Barbaresco, yet they are similar; pleasant and without astringency.
Seasonal notes
From November until January, abundant snowfalls and low temperatures made for an unusually harsh, rainy winter, yet provided a good water reserve of 800mm, an important aspect given the drought that followed in spring.
February and March were cold and dry, with no precipitation.
From mid-March the temperatures rose considerably, following a pattern in recent years, accelerating the plants’ life cycles. The vines germinated very quickly and evenly due to the large water reserve in the soils.
Unfortunately, cold temperatures returned on April 7th and 8th with freezing winds that channeled through the valleys, hitting the lower vineyards where the microclimates are more sensitive, in particular in Barbaresco. There was no damage to the international varietals, but Nebbiolo, which germinates early, recorded a 30% damage in Sorì San Lorenzo where the sprouts were already 30cm long. Other vineyards affected by frost recorded minimal losses of 5%.
The vineyards in the Barolo area, which are at higher altitudes, survived the frost unscathed.
But, due to the frost and the drought, from slope to slope, vine budding continued to be uneven and irregular.
During the remaining months of April, May and into June, the days were clear and windy with strong temperature variations. The cold continued with average rainfalls for a total of 150mm.
Blooming began on June 4th, a delay of 15-18 days compared to the previous year. By mid-June the temperatures increased, reaching 29-30 °C/84-86 °F, starting a hot summer with frequent thunderstorms. From this moment on the difference became sharper between a humid Barbaresco area, and a drier Barolo area. By the end of June, Barbaresco had accumulated 110mm more water than Barolo. Fortunately, no problems were caused by insects or downy mildew.
In July we had an increase in temperatures, but never above 34°C/93°F, with excellent temperature variations. Frequent storms relieved the hot summer days in Barbaresco, keeping the vineyards healthy, cooling the soils and creating an even greater difference of water reserve compared to Barolo. But this also had negative implications: the threat of powdery mildew on Barbaresco increased throughout the month of July. On July 31st, the rains finally arrived in the Barolo area, while in Barbaresco rain together with a hailstorm arrived registering a production loss of 10/15%.
August was dry and hot as temperatures reached 38°C/100,4 °F. It did not rain until the end of the month when a beneficial shower refreshed Barbaresco and Barolo: the overall health of the grapes was excellent.
The harvest began on September 2nd with the Chardonnay from Faset, followed by the Sauvignon Blanc and on September 19th the first Barbera. Nebbiolo was late in ripening due to lack of rain and high summer temperatures. By good luck, on September 17th, it rained in Barolo and Barbaresco, and 4 days later, together with a lowering of temperatures and a dense fog that helped complete the maturation, the first harvest of Nebbiolo in Barbaresco began. It ended on October 14th in Serralunga d’Alba with the last vineyard Colombaio. Despite frost, hail, powdery mildew threats, and worries about the drought, a demanding year full of anxiety finally came to an end, and has paid off with remarkable, high quality grapes.
