REASONS FOR THE RISE IN ALCOHOL LEVELS IN NAOUSSA PDO WINES Presented by Yiannis Karakasis MW
THE FACTS Alsace +2% PA Napa Valley from 12.5% PA, grapes are currently being harvested above 14% COULD THIS BE CLIMATE CHANGE?
WHERE IT GROWS Goumenissa Amyndeon Naoussa Rapsani PDO in Naoussa-Amyndeon-Rapsani-Goumenissa 3
NAOUSSA AND XINOMAVRO GRAPE
Climate Change Until we get hit by a comet or the dead start walking, it is the biggest trend of the wine world
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR-CLIMATE CHANGE Lewin (2010) Has contributed greatly to harvesting grapes at more advanced stages of ripeness. Jones (2005) avge growing season temp +1.3 C over the last 50 years. Hannah (2013) area suitable for viticulture will have decreased significantly by 2050 (for Medit Europe, suitability is expected to - 65% on average). NAOUSSA Surface air temp in Greece showed an increasing trend from 1990-2000 (stable thereafter) In Naoussa, all temp variables increased during a 30 year period (1981-2010), except for max temperature (Koufos et al., 2013).
CC CONSEQUENCES WORLDWIDE Grapes harvested earlier, at higher sugar levels than before higher abv Drought incidence Added moisture stress in water-limited regions changes in the presence or intensity of vine pests and diseases. NAOUSSA In Naoussa, Koufos et al., (2013) no significant trend towards earlier picking date has been observed
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR-VITI FACTORS WORLDWIDE Yields sugar ripeness Green harvest sugar ripeness Clones and Rootstocks? Age of vines young and old vines ripeness Canopy management esp leaf removal NAOUSSA For quality Naoussa 600-1000 kilos/0.1 ha Clones X3 & X6 better ripeness -110R & 41B TS: double cordon and spur-pruned (leaf wall heights 60-120 cm high)
WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR-VINI FACTORS Relationships between water availability, fruit composition & grape juice YAN status further investigation Ferm tempearture (lower higher abv) WORLDWIDE Open top fermenters
ANALYSIS MUST SUGAR-ABV- HARVEST DATES-CLIMATIC DATA 1994-2013
ALCOHOL RISE +1.1%
ΒΑUME RISE +0.6%
CLIMATIC DATA-TEMP +2.7ºC
HARVEST DAYS 6 days later
CORRELLATIONS FOUND ABV with minimum temperature Baumé with both minimum and mean temperature Harvest dates with minimum temperature
ANALYSIS CAUSES OTHER THAN CC- CHANGES IN HARVEST CRITERIA & VNYD MANAGEMENT
ASSESSEMENT OF HARVEST CRITERIA
CHANGES IN VITICULTURE Increase in canopy height New clones & lower vigour rootstocks Vine densities increased
GREEN HARVEST/YIELDS
ANALYSIS WINEMAKING INFLUENCE
CONTRIBUTING ΜΑΙΝ FACTORS YEASTS Analysis of alcohol conversion rate showed a positive trend (when commercial yeasts are used) FERM TEMP 9/15 reported a decrease in fermentation temperatures (from 27-30 C to 23-27 C). SELECTION TABLES 4/15 since 2005 OPEN TOP FERMENTERS 2/15
SHAPING WINE STYLE
CONCLUSIONS CLIMATE CHANGE ++ YIELDS-TRELLIS HEIGHT- CLONES-ROOTSTOCKS-VINE DENSITIES ++ SELCTION TABLES & YEAST S EFFICIENCY +
PDO SANTORINI 30
PDO SANTORINI Combines spectacular site-gastronomy with wine experience Both for dry and sweet wines dominated by Assyrtiko Athiri and aromatic Aidani may also be used Steely mineral wine with high extract All styles and sparkling 31
NYKTERI STYLE Ultra traditional style from late harvest grapes Harvest in September Pressed all night to be protected by high temp and be ready in the morning Matured in oak and oxidative in style, sherry like High alcohol, some rs 32
Harvest in August VINSANTO Dried under the sun for 10-15 d Minimum 51% Assyrtiko 6-10 kilos for 1 lt Old oak maturation for min 2 years Vintage or NV (4, 8, 12, 16 years of maturation) 33
MACEDONIA-NAOUSSA PDO Xinomavro territory-a small Burgundy 150 m to 350 m in rocky clay soils 20 producers-terroir driven wines Characterful wines with personality
KIR YIANNI RAMNISTA - NAOUSSA PDO Earlier harvest Up to 330m mostly light soils Fermentation at max 25 C 25% new French and American oak and 25%
THYMIOPOULOS EARTH AND SKY -NAOUSSA PDO Old vines >37-42 y.o Organic viticultureless is more Rocky soils (schist, granite, volcanic) in 16 sites Minimal intervention
BOUTARI LEGACY 2007-NAOUSSA PDO First single vineyard Naoussa Long extraction 12 months in 60% new oak
XINOMAVRO ON FIRE 38
Thank you for your time 39