VDP growers report that the bulk of their grape crop has been harvested and the young wines are in the cellars – only members in the Mosel, Saar, and Ruwer valleys are still picking. According to growers’ preliminary assessments, 2011 is a good vintage that yielded wines of excellent quality. They are firm, rich in mineral notes, and marked by a piquant acidity. The size of this year’s crop was also right on target – sufficient to replenish depleted cellar stocks after the very small harvest in 2010. Given the potential of the new vintage, VDP growers particularly look forward to monitoring the development of their wines from their finest, Erste Lage sites.
As in 2010, this year’s growing season was subject to capricious weather conditions. Summer-like weather in spring led to an extremely early blossoming, followed by night frost in numerous regions in May, and too much rainfall in July. Nevertheless, grapes ripened quickly and early this year, and preliminary harvesting began earlier than ever. Yet, growers were able to delay their main harvest until well into October thanks to the beautifully warm, sunny weather that set in during September. In all, the erratic weather throughout 2011 led to enormous differences among and within regions, vineyards, and even parcels. Nevertheless, with vintage 2011, VDP growers once again have wines in their cellars that meet their high quality expectations and nicely complement their portfolios.
VDP president Steffen Christmann reports: “We’re pleased with the fully ripened, high-quality crop we were able to bring in. Whether vintage 2011 will join the ranks of its legendary predecessors – 1811 and 1911 – as a ‘vintage of century’ remains to be seen. The potential is there, but we’ll know more after the first tastings in spring. At this time, though, we can already say that our Erste Lage wines are truly first-rate.”

Early ripening crop in 2011 yielded harmonious, elegant wines
The harvest has basically ended, and a thoroughly unique vintage of especially high quality is fermenting in the cellars. With few exceptions, the grapes were in very good condition when they were picked. All varieties profited from the magnificent autumn weather – it decisively contributed to the ultimately good outcome of the 2011 harvest. Premature onsets of botrytis and/or other rot could be promptly eliminated through a preliminary harvest. When the harvest first started, growers were quite worried, skeptical, and tense about this year’s vintage. Yet, the extended period of good weather and concomitant opportunity for grapes to continue ripening alleviated their fears and restored confidence in being able to produce truly great wines from fully ripened, healthy grapes. Selective harvesting by hand is routine for VDP growers, and was particularly crucial this year to ensure that the crop remained healthy. By doing so, grapes in the finest sites could be picked that are suitable for producing dry as well as lusciously sweet wines. Regardless of region or varietal, Oechsle readings averaged from a very satisfactory 85 to 100+ degrees, and at the end of the harvest, some estates were even able to gather grapes with more than 300 degrees Oechsle for rarities, such as Trockenbeerenauslese.
The dry Indian summer also fostered the development of aroma compounds in all varietals, which captivate with their juicy, spicy, fruity, and harmonious character. At this time, grape musts are extremely clear-cut, and show a play of fine fruitiness with rich aromas and mineral notes. This vintage is marked by regional differences in acidity profiles, with some regions registering a harmonious ratio between natural sweetness and acidity right from the start; others, with acidity levels ranging from high to low. However, proficient acidity management techniques, particularly with the early ripening varieties, will bring forth pleasantly light wines with an alcohol content of up to 12 percent by volume.
Not only is the quality of vintage 2011 quite respectable compared with earlier years, but also the volume. Growers are grateful for that. Yields averaged ca. 50 ha/hl, even higher in regions spared from frost and storms, with an overall (preliminary) result of ca. 80% of an average year and considerably more than in 2010. The bottom line: Mother Nature provided the prerequisites needed for a good vintage; it is now up to VDP growers to make the most of them as the young wines develop in their cellars.