A glimpse at the 2024 Season: A Challenge of Adaptation amid Climate Variability and Agronomic Innovation
The 2024 harvest for Allegrini highlighted the strategic importance of cultivating in hillside areas, where the combination of ventilation, sunlight, and optimal drainage has allowed for the best possible grape development. This vintage promises to be interesting and rich in aromatic nuances, with a balanced structure and qualitative potential that will enhance its oenological value.
Winter and Spring: Precise Budding, Slowed by Low Temperatures
The year 2024 began with a relatively mild winter, accompanied by moderately abundant precipitation. With the arrival of April, temperatures began to rise, encouraging vine budding in line with seasonal norms. However, conditions quickly changed in mid-April, when a sudden drop in temperatures slowed vegetative growth, with minimum temperatures falling as low as 5°C in some areas. The abundant rainfall, continuing through the end of June, contributed to delays, with cumulative precipitation above the seasonal average.
Summer 2024: Sudden Heat and Focus on Water Stress
In early July, summer burst forth with a rapid increase in temperatures and high evapotranspiration rates, requiring close attention to prevent water stress. In this context, targeted agronomic practices, such as optimal management of the vineyard floor and canopy, helped to maintain excellent plant health, limiting disease incidence. Thanks to careful water management, the vines were able to withstand the summer season without harm, preserving the quality of the grapes.
September and the Harvest: Return to Mild Temperatures and Beneficial Diurnal Swings
September brought another drop in temperatures, accompanied by large diurnal temperature swings, with differences reaching up to 15°C between day and night. This phenomenon favored acidity retention and aroma development in the grapes, key factors for high-quality wines. Although late-season rains brought some challenges, a timely harvest approach minimized negative effects, allowing for an accurate selection of the best clusters, particularly for early-ripening varieties.
Agronomic Innovations: Monitoring Systems and Strategic Choices
The adoption of climate monitoring systems, such as weather stations and sensors for humidity and temperature, proved essential for precise interventions in disease control and reducing infection risks. This innovative approach has allowed for irrigation optimization and effective infection prevention, contributing to sustainable vineyard management.
The decision to shift part of the production to hillside areas has also been a decisive factor. The superior conditions in these areas, including ventilation, appropriate sunlight exposure, and optimal soil drainage, have made them ideal for gradual and healthy grape ripening. Varieties such as Corvinone showed extended ripening, while Corvina confirmed its adaptability, proving to be a robust and versatile variety.
The 2024 Harvest: Timing and Characteristics by Area
Harvest dates varied slightly by area and grape variety, reflecting the influence of different local climate conditions:
- Lugana: Harvest of Turbiana began on September 23 and concluded within two weeks, ensuring good ripening.
- Villa Cavarena and Marezzane: Harvested from September 16 to October 1.
- Monte dei Galli: Harvested between September 30 and October 15.
- Grola and Poja: Harvested from September 30 to October 15.
This season has truly underscored the value of careful, strategic choices in managing vineyards under variable climate conditions, positioning the 2024 vintage as one with great potential and depth.