2022 Piedmont
Elisa Marchetti of MARCARINI
The 2022 vintage showed us once again the vines’ amazing ability to adapt.
Budbreak started on time and was slow and even. Flowering was exceptional because we had sunny days with mild temperatures. Fruit set began a bit later due to water stress. Thanks to the extraordinary health of the grapes, we were able to wait until the perfect moment to pick the Nebbiolo (for Barolo) grapes and as a result, the aromatics are exceptional, and the tannins show great power.
We can’t deny that we had to face two huge problems this year – drought and excessive temperatures. However, we are thankful to have soils rich in clay, which retain humidity in the soil. The age of the vines also helped, as the roots of vines over twenty years old dig over 9 meters down. Fortunately, the rain we did get in August ensured good final yields though about 20% less than the average.
As for the temperatures, the work we did in the vineyard was fundamental. We left more foliage to protect the grapes among other things.
We are really satisfied with the great potential that our grapes have shown, the only thing is that there will be a bit less – as the saying goes, “Pochi ma buoni!” (Roughly, lower quantities, but excellent quality!)
Mattia Donna of TORRACCIA DEL PIANTAVIGNA
We finished harvesting last Saturday and for the most part, the grapes were perfectly ripe and in excellent health. This vintage did suffer the drought though – especially in Gattinara and the vineyards in Ghemme with less clay.
The older plants – 25 years or more – were able to withstand the water stress better.
We’ll see about 30% less in production this year.
Beatrice Gaudio of GAUDIO BRICCO MONDALINO
The 2022 vintage was interesting for two reasons – the extreme drought conditions and the very high temperatures registered starting in May and going through September. This stressed the vineyards in a way Piedmont has never really seen. After good budbreak and early flowering, the vines started to slow down due to the heat until we got (very little) rain in May and June only to start suffering again. Veraison began about three weeks early! We were worried mainly about a few things: oidium, scorched grapes, not reaching full maturation and hailstorms. Harvest ended 10 October but the whole period went crazy fast as everything seemed to ripen at the same time.
We are down about 10-15% in quantity, but the sugar concentration, anthocyanins and tannins are incredible. The aromas are also extremely intense and complex. It might seem strange, but some grapes are actually larger meaning they didn’t suffer the water stress as much.
This was certainly a highly unusual vintage, very different from the balanced and elegant 2021. This vintage is powerful, similar to 2016 and 2017, and very unique and complex.