2003
Weather
Winter was characterized by cold temperatures and rainfalls, which granted a good water supply to the soil. Springtime was mild and sunny and favoured the good blooming of the vines, followed by a good flowering and setting. In April frost hit some limited valleys only, causing a reduction in the flowering. A very warm and dry summer has allowed to pick up the grapes 20 days in advance. Indeed the early grape varieties (Merlot, Chardonnay) have been harvested during the third week of August, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon. Verdicchio vintage began at the beginning of September, and shortly after, we started harvesting the red grapes. We finished to harvest Montepulciano grapes in the second week of October.
Quality
All the grapes had a very good maturation. The high concentration of sugar, acidity and aromatic substance portends a very good vintage, if not an excellent one. Indeed the red wines are rich in anthociyanin, therefore very 'coloured', full-bodied, and ideal for the production of important wines.
Quantity
Vintage 2003 will go down in history as one of the leanest in quantity in the last thirty years. The main cause being the summer drought, which has reduced the berries size and the total yield, and the April frosts, which caused a flowering delay and therefore operated as a pre- pruning. With regard to Marche region, the Verdicchio area benefited from rainfalls in July: this allowed to pick up a satisfying quantity, although lower than the average. The production of the other Marche's DOC wines and of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo has recorded a decrease of 10-20% compared to last year, and in some cases (for instance, Sangiovese) we have reached a 40% decrease.
