The Langhe Climate Cold and temperate is how experts describe the characteristic climate of the annual development of the winegrowing cycle on the Langa and Roero hills. Every year we see different changes in the various atmospheric events that irrepeatably influence the characteristics of each vintage. Winter is a harsh and intensely cold season, often with heavy snow, although to be honest this has happened rather sporadically in recent years, leaving space for almost hot days completely out of character with the season, so winter isn t really the season it used to be. Spring and autumn are always rather unpredictable and inconsistent, with sudden changes in the climatic situation. This has become increasingly obvious in recent years, with particularly mild winters followed by cold, wet springs, sometimes with temperatures plummeting below zero and very heavy rainfall. Summer is the hot season and it used to be much drier but has recently become more humid, even on the hills where the wind should normally mitigate the humidity which fills basins and valleys. The arrival of providential, refreshing storms cools things down, when they don t bring hail, whipping and sometimes ruining whole vineyards. This constant alternation of fine and bad weather has a determining influence on the final characteristics of the grapes and wine, resulting in vintages which are sometimes exceptional, excellent or good, and sometimes fair or even poor. Every vintage of wine is different and will be unrepeatable. It may have a longer or shorter cellar-life and may carry the characteristics of its origins down through the years.
Climatic trend in recent years Climatic trend in year 2006 The inception of vegetative cycle was later than usual because of the cold, prolonged winter of 2005/2006, with rainfall and snow within the norm. June and July, on the other hand, were extremely hot and dry, which not only made up for the delay, but even anticipated the normal vegetative timeframe. August was fortunately cooler, though drought persisted. September featured normal temperatures and at last, mid-month, some rainfall. The 2006 crop would have been abundant had we not thinned bunches out drastically. Also, after the mid- September rains, it was necessary to cut the leaves back very accurately around the bunches themselves, in order to avoid chances of humidity stagnating, thus provoking molds. Thanks to these precautions and to the lovely, dry weather of late September and early October, grapes ripened perfectly and at the right time, and were in excellent conditions. Ultimately, 2006 was another great vintage for all wines in the Langhe appellation: exceptional color, distinct freshness, intense aromas and fragrance, outstanding structure and balance, similar style and character to 2004 and 2005. Climatic trend in year 2005 Winter and early spring were sufficiently rainy, the rest of the spring season and summer enjoyed excellent weather, hot but not overly so, with scattered storms that did not affect our vineyards. In fact, the latter featured no rainfall. In early September, all grapes were very healthy and set for perfect maturation; subsequently, some light rains after the lengthy drought favored swift ripening of Dolcetto, Barbera, Freisa and Nebbiolo grapes. This made life a little difficult in the winery as fruit was perfectly ripe and came in all together, without the usual intervals of a few days from one variety to the next. After the Dolcetto and Barbera were picked, the weather forecasts indicated rains from late September. Thus, we decided to harvest the Nebbiolo grapes during the week from Monday, September 26th to Saturday, October 1st. True enough, abundant rains fell from Sunday, October 2nd. Such an unusually swift harvest was made possible by our work in the vineyard during the month of August and in early September, respectively selecting and reducing grape bunches on the vine, and reducing leaves around the fruit. These operations allowed grapes to ripen in an ideal and uniform manner and prevented mold from affecting the bunches, ultimately making it possible to pick by hand swiftly and smoothly. Harvest time is usually 40 days from Chardonnay, the earliest-ripening grape, to Nebbiolo, the last. In 2005, on the other hand, harvest lasted a mere 25 days. Climatic trend in year 2004 The 2004 season was climatically regular for the area after the excessively hot and droughty 2003 vintage with abundant rain and snow during the winter. The latter restored the soil s H2O balance, which had been badly affected the year before. Though spring saw the occasional rain, the weather was very sunny during flowering, thus ensuring ideal setting (nouaison) and grapes abundant enough to require a very severe green harvest for best concentration. Summer and fall were lovely and dry, while at the same time not overly hot, allowing the grapes to ripen perfectly and at a decidedly tardier stage than the 2003 vintage (approximately 30 days later).
2004 was ultimately another great year, with very different characteristics from the previous vintage (albeit excellent also). The wines are characterized by good structure and intense color, extremely vinous and fruity bouquet, rich fruit on the palate and simultaneously great finesse and freshness thanks to having ripened slowly and later than usual, in cooler weather conditions. Climatic trend in year 2003 Nel 2003 il clima si è distinto per condizioni di tempo stabile, con molto sole e quasi assenti sono state le piogge. Un concorso di fattori che ha portato le temperature a raggiungere i massimi storici per il territorio, riuscendo a mantenersi tali per un lungo periodo. Per ciò che riguarda la fisiologia della vite l annata era partita in ritardo se pensiamo agli andamenti medi, con una schiusura delle gemme in ritardo di circa 15 giorni. Tuttavia grazie ad una temperatura in costante crescita, la fase di fioritura si è verificata a fine maggio, non discostandosi dai periodi delle annate calde precedenti. Un ulteriore certezza dell anticipo vegetativo della vite di circa 15 giorni è giunta con l inizio dell invaiatura, elle varietà più precoci. Tipo il dolcetto si è mostrata nella prima metà di luglio e per quelle più tardive, tipo il nebbiolo, alla fine di luglio, con distanze di tempo brevi tra le diverse varietà. Il 2003 è stato un anno avaro di piogge: a fine agosto erano caduti 265 mm di pioggia rispetto agli 830 mm del 2002 e i 390 mm del 1997. I primi giorni di settembre hanno visto un mutamento della situazione climatica che, pur proseguendo con il bel tempo, ha assistito ad un generale ed improvviso abbassamento delle temperature. Condizioni che si sono mantenute costanti, caratterizzate da alcune modeste precipitazioni. La vendemmia delle varietà bianche precoci, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, favorita e arneis, è terminata nella prima decade di settembre, iniziando già le prime operazioni di raccolta a metà agosto. I vini ottenuti presentano un grado alcolico medio elevato, acidità di buon equilibrio e un intenso profumo. La raccolta del dolcetto si è conclusa nella prima quindicina di settembre, e in cantina siamo di fronte ad un vino di grande potenzialità, con un valore alcolico ottimo, acidità equilibrata e un colore molto vivace. Il tempo mantenutosi bello e l uva di sanità eccezionale, hanno permesso una vendemmia tranquilla delle uve barbera e nebbiolo dove la maturazione aveva raggiunto un ottimo livello. Purtroppo alcuni acini dei grappoli maggiormente esposti e colpiti dal calore del sole presentavano evidenti segni di scottature, tuttavia in cantina riuscivano a raggiungere un livello di qualità elevato, dando vini di alta gradazione alcolica e giusta acidità. Il 2003 verrà ricordata come un annata eccezionale grazie alla costante bontà del clima che ha permesso una vendemmia serena, ordinata rispettando i tempi di maturazione di ogni singola varietà e dei singoli vigneti Climatic trend in year 2002 And now for 2002, an unusual year to say the least. The very cold but virtually snow-free winter was following by a spring with lower than average temperatures for the season. June was characterised by about three weeks hot and sultry weather, with very high levels of humidity for this area. July and August registered extravagant climatic conditions with alternating hot and even cold periods, with temperatures well below the seasonal average. There hadn t been an August this cold for years and it even snowed on the mountains, bringing cold air to our area. All this, together with a series of heavy hailstorms, some of which just before
the grape harvest, as happened in the area between Barolo and La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, Serralunga and Grinzane Cavour, the heart of the Barolo production zone, seriously affected the general grape production. This year the grape harvest was postponed in comparison to the early harvests of recent years, because the grapes, both the early, medium-ripening and late-ripening varieties, didn t seem to have reached satisfactory levels of ripeness. Due to the low temperatures and high rainfall of the summer, especially August, the grapes failed to ripen properly and there was a considerable amount of mould, leading to a low or only just acceptable sugar content. Obviously the result wasn t as catastrophic as the media chose to portray, but this definitely cannot be classed as a year to equal the others, although opinions must be reserved until the harvest and production of the wines has been completed. Climatic trend in year 2001 Winter 2000 2001 experienced a different climatic trend compared with those of previous years, with more rainfall from October to March. The good quantity of water in the soil and higher than average seasonal temperatures contributed to early budding starting in March. April was characterised by reduced precipitation, but the meteorological conditions were unstable. On the 15th of the month the lowest temperature in the area during the year was registered, falling to 5 C, causing the worst damage to the vineyards within living memory. The day after, a violent hailstorm, unusual for the season, caused damage in the municipality of Treiso right in the Barbaresco zone. May brought a good quantity of water to the soil and quite high temperatures, causing the fast development of vegetation but also encouraging the appearance of the first signs of downy mildew. The vines blossomed under excellent climatic conditions, starting in May. The summer was characterised by scarce rainfall and high temperatures, causing regular vegetative growth and the fast swelling of the grapes, which were more sensitive to attacks of mildew. August and early September were sultry and had no rainfall, enabling the early varieties to ripen perfectly. Then the situation changed and the area was characterised by a gradual drop in temperature and some precipitation which slowed down the ripening of the medium-late ripening varieties, without however damaging the quality. In the Roero district this precipitation was accompanied by heavy hailstorms, causing considerable damage to the vineyards. The year was highly satisfactory, as the white wines had good structure, good acidity, finesse, elegance and a delicate, persistent perfume, while the reds had a good alcohol and acid content, immensely rich polyphenols and persistently intense perfumes. Climatic trend in year 2000 The winter was mild in the Langa and Roero districts, with few snow showers, encouraging all the varieties to bud early. A rainy spring, with considerable risks of downy mildew attacks, was followed by a long period of sunshine, during which setting took place and the grapes swelled. The grapes darkened properly under favourable atmospheric conditions. From mid-august to mid-september, South Piedmont was protected by an anticyclone which brought a long period of sunshine, with high temperatures and excellent conditions for the grape harvest, both for early and medium-late ripening varieties. The second half of September was characterised by a progressive change in the climate with cloudy and rainy periods alternated with sunny periods. Thanks to the fact that the grapes were considerably healthy, the later-ripening varieties weren t affected by this climatic change and the grapes harvested were of excellent quality. The qualitative verdict for 2000 was highly satisfactory. The white wines had good body and an intense and persistent perfume, while the reds had an excellent structure, good colour and a relevant general balance.
Climatic trend in year 1999 In recent years, the climate in the Langhe and Roero districts has been characterised by a general tendency towards reduced precipitation. It snowed considerably in the early months of the year, from January to March, and this was very important to the formation of the water reserves in the soil, guaranteeing prompt, even budding. The temperatures registered in the first quarter fell within the seasonal norm, causing a slight delay to the start of budding compared with recent years, when this process occurred very early. The period progressed mildly, with good levels of precipitation encouraging the extension of the buds. Night frosts occurred in small areas causing very little damage to the basal buds. Extensive spring rains caused the appearance of downy mildew symptoms after the tenth of May but the damage was limited by the arrival of summer in June. This month continued with hot, sunny days alternated with thunderstorms and this trend carried on in July. August was out of synch with the rest of the season, with very variable weather conditions, overcast days and low maximum thermal values. Fortunately, in September the fine weather returned and this enabled the medium-late ripening varieties to continue ripening, reaching excellent quality levels at harvest time. The general qualitative verdict for 1999 was more than satisfactory. The white wines were delicate and pleasantly fruity, while the reds were very lively, with nicely intense colour and good body. Climatic trend in year 1998 The climatic situation on the Langa and Roero hills in 1998 followed a general tendency towards reduced precipitation: even the early months of the year, which should bring abundant snow and rain, were rather dry, influencing water reserves for the months ahead. Together with the lack of rain, the first three months of 98 were characterised by temperatures often above average for the period, which caused a significant vegetative recovery of the vine and consequently earlier than average budding. Under these exceptional weather conditions, the vineyards often ran the risk of late frosts which would have seriously damaged the harvest. Fortunately this didn t happen, apart from in a few sporadic cases. The following months of April and May brought, sometimes heavy, rain to the Langa and Roero hills and this restored the water reserves in time for the summer. While climatic conditions of this kind, alternating mild and damp weather, can encourage the vine to bud, they can also cause the development of fungal disease, especially downy mildew. The summer really took off in June and temperatures soared above average in July and August, with increasing infrequent rainfall as the weeks went by. Consequently the vineyard benefited from a summer characterised by a long period of hot, dry weather. In September a subsequent positive transformation of the weather mitigated temperatures with the presence of nicely intense winds which also reduced the atmospheric humidity, positively influencing the health of the grapes. This more normal climatic situation enabled the regular ripening of the grapes, with a less sudden but continuous increase in sugars and, consequently, lower consumption of acids. Several days rainfall between the end of September and the beginning of October did nothing to endanger the quality and health of the grapes. The return of the fine weather enabled late-ripening grape varieties, like Nebbiolo and Barbera, to perfectly complete the ripening cycle: in this way the grape harvest was able to continue regularly and without further hiccoughs, ending between the 10th and 20th of October.
Climatic trend in year 1997 1997 in the Langa and Roero district was exceptional in climatic terms, thanks to the evolution that characterised the atmospheric trend and the entity of the events that occurred. Heavy rainfall, biting cold and frequent snowfall marked the start of the year which, from the end of January until May, endured a long period of dry weather with above-average temperatures. The rainiest month was June, with 130 mm of rain, which only partially restored the average level of the annual water reserves. The lack of water in the early months returned later. One of the driest months was September. As regards thermal conditions, 1997 was a hot year, with values often above the seasonal averages, both in the early months and during the summer and early autumn, with a positive effect on the accumulation of sugars in the grapes. Only in a few cases were there difficulties with the production cycle, during the few sharp drops in temperature which interrupted an otherwise consistent climatic trend. Of all meteorological events, particular attention is devoted to hail which, as always, struck during various moments of the year, especially in the summer. The dry, mild climate of the early months of the year encouraged the vines to bud 20-30 days earlier than usual. Blossoming and setting prior to average were regular and rapid, apart from in the higher areas, where these vegetative phases coincided with more critical weather conditions. The increase in rainfall in June encouraged the grapes to swell and the vegetation to flourish. July was characterised by hot days, emphasising one of this year s typical characteristics precocity. After the tenth of the month, the grapes began to darken and a fine August with very few, well-distributed days of rain helped accelerate the ripening process. An exceptional September, hot with little precipitation and just the right amount of ventilation, favoured an increase in the sugar levels in the grapes and the reduction of acidity. The grape harvest, which was early more or less everywhere, brought healthy, ripe and impeccable grapes into the cellars. Climatic trend in year 1996 On the whole, 1996 was characterised by a good level of rainfall and a very hot June, followed by cooler weather in July, August and September. With regard to circulation during the year, there were very frequent depressions in the Mediterranean area, often causing variable and unpredictable weather. Analysing the information supplied by the weather centres of Barbaresco, Serralunga d'alba and Piobesi d'alba, it is possible to assess the distribution of the rainfall and the spring-summer temperature trend which, as reported by specialists, had a positive effect on the year s viticultural production. The thermal totals, calculated on the basis of a temperature threshold of 10 C, registered between April and September, reached values just under 1600 degrees a day. The first thirteen days of June were characterised by an exceptional thermal trend, peaking on the 12th with over 26 C in total absence of precipitation. After the exceptionally hot period, the weather was variable for the second part of the month and the first ten days of July, with widespread precipitations throughout the period.