Hot weather grape harvest 2009, La Colombe, Fechy

Golf-ball-sized hail 23 July, outside Ikea in Allaman, Vaud

Nyon, Switzerland (Geneva, Switzerland) – Swiss wines, vintage 2009, will be among those loved and remembered by consumers, thanks in large part to a warm, sunny and dry August that was enjoyed equally by humans and grapes. The 2009 official wine results are in, from the federal agricultural station Changins, near Nyon, and the news is good. The harvest, which began in September and for the most part ended in mid-October, was “very good”, with “exceptional” ripening conditions in August and early September. The one exception is some areas in canton Vaud’s La Côte region, hit hard by 15 minutes of hail 23 July, which wiped out some vine parcels’ (growing areas) grapes.

Grapes developed fully, with little rot occurring, thanks to dry weather in most parts of Switzerland: an “exemplary” situation where all climactic conditions came together to keep the grapes healthy.

Changins itself recorded 440mm of rain from January to the end of September 2009, well below the 30-year average of 689mm. Ticino and some parts of German-speaking Switzerland had heavier rainfall.

Finding a bit of lunchtime shade: 2009 October harvest at La Colombe, Fechy

Healthy Pinot Noir grapes, ready for crushing, La Colombe, Fechy, October 2009

Acidity in the grapes fell sharply during the ripening period, and the wines as a result are well-balanced, with the reds from 2009 already showing good structure and colour.

The first white wines are generally ready for bottling in late winter, the reds in early spring in Switzerland, with aging time then varying, depending on the time of wine and the winemaker, from a few weeks to several months.

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