Belguardo Vermentino

As for the previous autumn months, 2022 opened with a winter that proved particularly lacking in rainfall, and was characterised by the presence of prolonged periods dominated by high pressure systems, and significant temperature fluctuations without, however, periods of intense cold.

During the months of March / April, there were intermittent rainfalls in the Maremma area, which favoured the regular phenological growth of the vines, followed by a period of great vigour and abundant flowering, which was favoured by the warm and dry climate, and resulted in good fruit-setting.

Summertime temperatures were recorded as early as May, and the summer months were torrid, all of which was accompanied by a lack of rainfall; these conditions, certainly unfavourable in some respects, from a plant-protection point of view resulted in limited pathogenic attacks on the vines, easily managed by appropriate measures in the vineyard.

The dry climate resulted in a moderate growth of the berries, with some water stress localised in the drier areas.

The rainfalls in mid-August were beneficial, substantially re-aligning ripening times, which peaked a few days earlier than the previous year.

The 2022 harvest produced perfectly healthy grapes, with a higher sugar content than the average for recent years. The small berries and the concentration reached during the summer months point to a harvest suited to the production of well-structured, long-aging red wines.

Beginning of the harvest: August 22nd, 2022

End of the harvest: September 28th, 2022

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 449 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4.113 °C

Evaluation: Good

The 2021 season opened on the heels of an autumn and winter characterized by typical temperatures and good rainfall, which guaranteed the build-up of an abundant water supply.

A spring cold snap, with temperatures already below the national average, led to a sudden drop in temperatures in April and the freezes of April 7 and 8. This event damaged some of the already well-developed buds, thus limiting future fruiting, in particular of Sangiovese, Vermentino and Syrah. In terms of production, there were differences from zone to zone and also from vineyard to vineyard. In some, the damage was more apparent while in others, the losses were partially reabsorbed. In any case, from May forward, the vines bounced back with favorable bud development and excellent flowering in a generally dry climate.

In July and August, along with a rise in temperatures and an extraordinary heat wave, the vineyards were once again put to the test. Following an early veraison (signs showing already between late July and early August), on August 24th, rainfall finally arrived, dropping 28 mm of relief, which gave a boost to the vines, re-establishing a favorable diurnal temperature variation and ensuring optimal conditions for final ripening.

Despite the fluctuations in climate, the grapes were healthy and in excellent phytosanitary condition. Early analytical findings indicate a wine with great concentrations, high polyphenolic values on the red grapes and medium-high alcohol content, but with a good sugars-to-acidity ratio.

Beginning of the harvest: August 28th, 2021

End of the harvest: September 23rd, 2021

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 106 mm

Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3.937 °C

Evaluation: Very good

After the heavy rains of November and December 2019, 2020 brought mild temperatures and low rainfall from January to July, with the exception of late March when bud fertility was partially set back by sharp drops in temperature. August was hotter than average, with temperatures rising to 37-38°C (98.5-100.5°F) for several days, bringing forward the beginning of the harvest to 27 August. Showers on the 30 and 31 August slowed down the ripening process, allowing the rest of the harvest to proceed at a more regular and orderly pace.
All in all, the weather pattern over the year allowed the grapes to ripen well, leading to a good yield of healthy fruit. There was an excellent concentration of aromatic properties in the white wines; the red wines had good alcohol levels and remarkable colour intensity, thanks in part to considerable diurnal temperature ranges which raised aromatic and polyphenolic levels in the grapes. Overall, the 2020 harvest was high in quality, a result that amply made up for a dip in yield compared to the previous year.

Beginning of the harvest: August 27th
End of the harvest: September 24th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 270 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3815 °C
Evaluation: Very good

The Maremman winter saw temperatures which were slightly above the norm, whereas rainfall was below average. These conditions continued through March and April, slightly slowing plant development in the early stages. The situation changed dramatically later, with one of the rainiest Mays in years. Lower temperatures together with short but heavy rainstorms slowed vine growth down still further.
June and July turned hot, with temperatures well above seasonal averages, rising to 35-36°C (95-97F) for 7-10 consecutive days. No harm was done to the grapes however: by harvest time they were in excellent condition thanks to carefully-gauged production techniques and approaches.
This combination of climatic and meteorological events resulted in a harvest which took place at the canonical time of year, unlike previous years when the harvest had been earlier. A large diurnal temperature range over the harvest period allowed grape bunches to grow and mature gradually, leading to optimal development of aromas and wines of extremely high quality.

Beginning of the harvest: September 5th
End of the harvest: October 10th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 376 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3909 °C
Evaluation: Outstanding

The winter was very anomalous, with rainfall well beyond the average and abundant snowfall in February; later, spring was characterised by temperatures above the seasonal average: April was dry with the maximum temperatures that reached their highest peaks in recent decades.
However, budding, flowering and fruit setting were regular.
In the following months, the weather was unstable with abundant rainfall (especially in April and May) and temperatures above the average of the period, which globally did not affect the health of the grapes.
During the harvest period, the days were warm and bright, often windy, with good temperature range between day and night, which ensured a regular harvest and the optimal ripeness of the grapes, with unique aromatic and polyphenolic features.

Beginning of the harvest: September 3rd
End of the harvest: October 5th
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 331 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3991 °C
Evaluation: Very good

The 2017 vintage will be remembered for its unusual and extraordinary adverse weather conditions.
At the end of 2016 the amount of the rainfall was almost near zero: below 10-15 mm at the end of 2016 and 10 mm at the beginning of 2017, with a climate particularly cold and strong northern winds.
In spring there were mild temperatures and very little rainfall, which favoured the early budding.
May brought an increase in the temperatures above the seasonal averages, which culminated in August with peaks above 40 ° C.
The plants responded positively to these conditions of poor watering, also thanks to the careful and accurate management of the vineyards and the soil, including the use of drip irrigation in the vineyards.
The analyses showed a technological maturation about 10 days earlier the seasonal average, with grapes perfectly healthy.

Beginning of the harvest: 21 August
End of the harvest: 13 September
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 91 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 2348°C
Evaluation: Good

Also in the region of Maremma the weather of the winter period was characterised by thermal anomaly, with average temperatures above the usual ones for this season and too much rain from the month of November onwards. This situation of extreme weather variability with widespread rains and temperatures below the seasonal average remained even for the whole period of summer.
The harvest began on September 10th with healthy Merlot and Alicante, but with sugar and colour concentration levels below the historical average. Even the Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon had the same characteristics. Instead there was a much better situation for the grapes of Vermentino and Syrah, which were perfectly ripe and had an intense flavour profile, which gave the must a very complex aromatic level with an excellent freshness and high acidity. The harvest was completed on October 13 with the last grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon.

Begin of harvest: 10 September
End of harvest: 13 October
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 609 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3711°C
Evaluation: Good/Excellent (premature grapes as Vermentino and Syrah) - Sufficient (other red grapes)

2012 winter was very rainy and characterized by catastrophic events, such as the storms that hit the Maremma with rainfall exceeding 500 mm in November. The rain level throughout the whole winter was 800 mm.
The rain was frequent but not heavy even in the spring time, slightly over 100 mm, while in the summer high-pressure systems protected the coast from the rain.
Winter temperatures were above the average and rarely dropped below 0° C, and the coolness persisted also in spring with minimum temperatures lower than 9° C at end of May, which is rather unusual for the Maremma. The summer was sunny but not hot, with temperatures constantly below 30° C, except for a very short period in August with peaks of 35° C, when however the temperature changes between day and night were equal to at least 15° C, an ideal condition for the proper ripening of the grapes.
The ripening was actually perfect, in line with the natural progress of the varieties grown by company.
The harvest began on 9 September with Merlot, immediately followed by Alicante, Vermentino and Syrah. The favourable weather conditions of September allowed the harvest of Sangiovese to be delayed until October. The Cabernet varieties were harvested between 10 and 14 October, with an excellent technological and phenolic ripening.

Beginning of the harvest: 9 September
End of the harvest: 14 October
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 181 mm
Evaluation: Very good

The Winter season has been very dry with scarce rainfall. Subsequently the temperatures rose, leading to the flowering of the vines around the middle of May. The summer period was very dry, with total absence of rain and temperatures well above the seasonal average, with peaks of 39.5°C.
The grapes arrived in the cellar in optimal conditions. The weather conditions changed profoundly in the last days of August and early September with a significant drop in temperatures and an accumulation of rainfall of about 60mm.
The overall judgment is good: our drip irrigation system, present in all the Belguardo vineyards, has allowed us to best balance the irregularities of the season. In this estate, just like in Fonterutoli, there has been a significant reduction of around 30% of the quantity of wine produced, which is associated to the loss of buds caused by freezing and dehydration.

Beginning of the harvest: Aug.23
End of the harvest: Sep.29
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 344 mm (13.5 inches)
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 4005,4°C
Evaluation: Good / Very good

Winter was characterised by an extensive low-pressure area leading to abundant rainfall with temperatures within the average values; the active growth of the vines took place at the right time. The growth of sprouts and their phenological blossoming steps until the fruit setting occurred under optimal conditions. From the middle of May, the average temperatures slightly increased over a period characterised by the lack of rainfall which lasted until the end of September.
The harvest began on 25/08 with red grapes, while the first bunches of Sangiovese were picked up on 3/9. The harvest ended on 24/09 with the Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
The vintage was excellent, with healthy bunches without any rotten part; from a quantitative point of view, the harvest was very good, while the global quality was good.

Beginning of the harvest: 25/08
End of the harvest: 24/09
Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 195 mm
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3,985°C
Evaluation: Good

In the area of Grosseto the winter period was characterized by temperatures below the average for the period and abundant rainfall which led to an import water reserve in the soil which was available to the cultivation during the summer months. The month of July was the hottest period, August was characterized by temperatures below the average for the last decade; there were two storms, which generally slowed down the ripening of the grapes; this situation continued throughout the period of September until the first week of October, giving rise to perfectly ripe grapes not only from a polyphenolic point of view but also regarding the sugar /acidity levels.
This vintage is considered exceptional even here where we add to the quality of the grapes also the quantity produced.

Rainfalls (sum of rainfall between April 1st and September 30th): 374,3 mm (14.7 inches)
Temperature Index (sum of average daily temperatures from April 1st to September 30th): 3724,8°C
Evaluation: Outstanding