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2015 Harvest Report: Tsantali vineyards in Northern Greece

[ TSANTALI Results and Estimations / Issued 11 September 2015 ] 

2015 has been a good year regarding the weather conditions in the vast majority of our vineyards in Northern Greece (Halkidiki, Mount Athos, Rapsani, Naoussa). The main characteristics have been:

  • The mild winter which prompted to a timely growth cycle (bud break)
  • Flowering and fruit set stages took place with water reserves from sufficient rainfall in May and June; the relatively mild temperatures have led to a rich canopy
  • During veraison, the high temperatures led to a notable phenolic ripeness
  • The ideal conditions in August and (so far) September with moderately high temperatures during the day

Harvest began at the normal time (almost 5 days later than in 2014). The production demonstrates so far a reduction by 15-20% in comparison to the previous year; nevertheless it is characterized by healthy grapes of high quality with good ripeness and high concentration in phenolic compounds.

In the case of the vineyard in Maronia in Thrace, 2015 has been a particular dry year. However, no significant change is expected in the 2015 production level. 

More specifically:

[ Halkidiki and Mount Athos ] Harvest began in 17 August with the white varieties of Chardonnay and Sauvignon blanc; Muscats, Malagouzia, Assyrtiko and finally Athiri and Roditis followed. For the red varieties, the collection started in 28 August with Merlot, followed by Syrah, Grenache, Limnio and Cabernet. Harvest continues, while it has not started yet for Xinomavro.

Depending on the outcome so far, the vintage is expected to present:

  • White and rosé wines of intense aromatic profile and roundness in flavor
  • Red wines with high alcohol levels, rich phenolic dynamic and particular ageing potential

 

[ Rapsani ] The harvest is expected to begin in the end of September. The ideal weather conditions so far indicate a very good vintage with noteworthy phenolic ripeness for all the varieties of the Rapsani blend (Xinomavro, Krassato and Stavroto), good color and high concentration.

[ Naoussa ] The indications to date prompt to estimations for an exceptional vintage, one of best of the recent history of the region. Xinomavro presents outstanding phenolic ripeness and an extraordinary intense color; both elements point out the high quality of the grapes and their rich concentration. Harvest is expected to begin in 20 September and the most crucial variable is that the weather conditions remain good during the collection.

[ Maronia ] In a very dry year, harvest has begun in the 2nd fortnight of August with the white varieties (Chardonnay, Muscat, Sauvignon blanc, Roditis), followed by the red grapes (Merlot, Syrah, Grenache rouge, Cabernet Sauvignon). Today harvest is concluded with the exception of Mavroudi; the rainfalls during the last fortnight are expected to enhance the phenolic ripeness of the variety before picking.

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