Regional Institute of Wine and Oil

Harvest and vines

According to the Regional Agriculture Department, the vine production potential in 2011 is 92,700 hectares, taking into account approximately 20,000 hectares, including green harvesting, new plantings and definitive abandonment, which must be subtracted from the figure relating to the overall surface area. From the first indications on the expected quantity, a production of less than 5 million hectoliters is estimated compared to the 5,675,000 of the 2010 harvest. The grapes in fact show a slight weight loss due above all to the high temperatures of the second half of August and there is also a yield more contained grapes/must.
However, please remember that we are at 70% of the harvest and that this has not yet begun for the traditional grapes (Nerello mascalese) of the Etna area and in the internal hilly areas (Nero d'Avola).
We do not want to anticipate judgments on quality because we analyzed the trend of implanted surfaces too early, drawing up a comparison between 2011 and 2010.

The varietal comparison of the surfaces planted with wine grapes highlights the following evolutionary trend:
Variety Difference 2011/2010 Hectares
Common white catarrat – 3000
Tuscan Trebbiano – 800
Inzolia – 300
Grecanico – 300
Chardonnay – 50
Malvasia di Lipari – 14
Nero d'Avola – 500
Cabernet sauvignon – 200
Glossy white catarratto + 1000
Cricket + 450
Pinot grigio + 150
Viognier + 100
Vermentino + 100
Pinot Noir + 50
Those not present in the prospectus have no significant changes.
The white vines show a negative balance of 2,664 hectares and the blacks of 650 hectares; The surface area covered by common white Catarratto decreases significantly while that of glossy white Catarratto and Grillo increases. The negative figure (-500 hectares) for Nero d'Avola is surprising but we hope that at least quantity-oriented vineyards will be affected.
Let us reflect on the – 200 hectares of Cabernet-sauvignon (a more “difficult” variety than Merlot in cultivation) and the + 50 hectares of Pinot Noir which we hope will be cultivated in areas suitable for expressing all its qualities. Pinot grigio is affected by a positive trend in demand on the international market, as are Vermentino and Viognier.