Cantina Girlan

Via San Martino 24
I-39057 Cornaiano ((BZ))
South Tyrol - Italy
VAT Nr.: 00124770215

Contact

Tel. +39 0471 662403
Fax +39 0471 662654
info@girlan.it
info@pec.girlan.it

Vintage Reports

  • Vintage 2023

    A turbulent vintage with promising results

    Everything points to a very good vintage. The year began mild and dry. This was followed by a cool and rainy May, which meant that flowering only began in June. In July we had - apart from a few very hot days - warm days and cool nights. The hot spell in August briefly halted the ripening of the grapes, but since the abundant rainfall on 28 August, we have enjoyed a wonderful late summer that brought us warm days and cool nights again. The conditions were right for a very good harvest, in which we were able to wait for the ideal ripening time of the respective grape varieties without any worries. Due to the late flowering, the start of the harvest was delayed until mid-September. We expect the 2023 vintage to produce fresh and fruity wines with a slightly lower alcohol content.

  • Vintage 2022

    A very good wine year! 

    The weather in 2022 was very particular: spring was warmer than average, resulting in early budding and early flowering. This was followed by a hot and dry summer. Thankfully, the rainfall at the end of August provided sufficient water for the final maturation of the grapes. We started the harvest around 6-10 days earlier than average. In terms of quantity, 2022 is in line with the average of the last few years. Rarely we harvested such healthy and fully ripe grapes as this year. In fact, all grape varieties showed excellent ripeness and slightly lower acidity levels. We are looking forward to aroma-intense and balanced white wines and powerful red wines.

  • Vintage 2021

    A promisinging vintage!

    The 2021 wine year began with a cool spring, which caused a late flowering (full bloom in Girlan in mid-June). Summer temperatures and precipitation were in line with the long-term average, except for a rainy period in July. The second half of August, however, was cooler than in other years. For these reasons, vintage 2021 was characterized by a slow maturation process and a late harvest starting on 20th September. The health of the grapes was very good throughout the ripening process.
    The wines of this vintage are characterized by pronounced fruit, good acidity, and fine structure. Thus, we expect wines with a high ageing potential. Among the white wines varieties that stand out are Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer. Among the red wines, the full-bodied varieties are convincing in all quality levels. Vernatsch and Pinot Noir show a lot of elegance and a fine structure.

  • Vintage 2020

    Challenging but promising!

    The 2020 wine-growing season started with a warm spring that caused an early flowering (late May).

    Except from a hot spell at the end of July, the summer was rather average. The second half of August, especially the last weekend in August, was characterized by rainfalls. However, to ensure the phenolic maturity of all grapes, we did several runs of harvest to guarantee the phenolic maturity of all grapes.

    During the main harvest in September, we benefitted from high temperature fluctuations between day and night, which had a positive impact on the development of aroma of various grape varieties.

    The yields during the 2020 harvest were low due to rigorous yield regulations and minor grape weights. This had a very positive effect on the ripeness and quality of the grapes.

    The white wines in the CLASSICI range show good qualities. The higher quality levels (FLORA) show a lot of freshness and juiciness. The grape varieties Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer deserve special mention.

    When it comes to red wines, the Pinot Noir grape variety impresses in all quality segments with its strong, dark red fruit and good structure.

    The positive surprise was Moscato Rosa. Due to an extreme concentration on the vine, we were able to harvest at an unbelievable early date (end of September) with outstanding quality (34 ° Babo).

  • Vintage 2019

    Elegant wines after a late harvest!

    The wine-growing year 2019 started with a cool and rainy April and May. Therefore, the blooming started 10-14 days later compared to the long-term average.

    After this damp, cool spring a hot June and warm July followed. The few rainfalls in the summer months, however, ensured perfect growth in our vineyards. Fortunately, we were not hit by the heavy hailstorm on August 6th. After this short rainy period the weather conditions in late August and early September were advantageous for a perfect ripening of the grapes.

    The harvest started comparatively late in mid-September. This circumstance had a very positive effect on the quality of the grapes, since the fluctuations in temperature between day and night were significant.

    In our cellar, the young wines show much freshness and elegance thanks to good acidity levels. Grape varieties that show excellent qualities this year are Sauvignon and Chardonnay for the white wines as well as Vernatsch (Fass Nr. 9 & Gschleier Alte Reben) and Pinot Noir for the reds.

  • Vintage 2018

    Convincing quality with above-average harvest quantity!

    The foundation for a rich vintage in 2018 laid a precipitous and long winter. The month of May was characterized by a humid and warm weather that accelerated the growing season. This above-average soil moisture in springtime was essential for the vines to come over a warm and dry summer. Nevertheless, yield reduction played a key role for ensuring the quality.

    The start of harvest in late August was difficult due to the rainy weather. When the so-called "Indian summer" started on 5th September, it was possible for us to prolong the mature phase. Cool nights as well as dry and sunny days until the end of October increased the quality of the grapes day after day and ensured ideal ripeness for almost every grape variety. 

    In general, sites above 400m above sea level and late maturing grape varieties show particularly high qualities. Characteristic of our young wines of this vintage are on one hand a pronounced elegance thanks to fresh aromas and lively acidity, and on the other hand powerful textures due to soft and ripe tannins. The red wines present high color intensity and velvety tannins thanks to perfect grape maturity. 

    Particularly noteworthy is that vintage 2018 has not only favored the top quality, but also our Classici range is characterized by individual and above-average quality.

  • Vintage 2017

    Yields drop sharply (-30%), but quality is good!

    That's one way to briefly describe the 2017 vintage. Springtime frosts, summertime hailstorms alternated with days of heatwaves that gave our winegrowers a tough time. Weeks of drought between spring and summer resulted in smaller bunches, a factor which however had a positive effect on our grapes. Our harvest started two weeks earlier than normal. After a difficult start, owing to the rain, a favorable late summer climate, with very high daytime temperatures (30 °C) which never surpassed 20 °C in the night time, created the ideal conditions for collecting ripe and healthy grapes. White wines, especially Sauvignon and Pinot Bianco, show good qualities with freshness, vivacity and typicality. The local Grape Vernatsch will probably not reach the excellent quality obtained in the 2016 vintage, but this is compensated by the beautiful colour and organoleptic concentration of the Pinot Noir, resulting in a wide range of fruity notes and a fullness that foreshadows a fantastic vintage for this vine.  

  • Vintage 2016

    A good, exciting vintage for both Red and White!

    The expectations for the year 2016 are very high: the excellent grape ripening offered the best conditions - the white wines combine high maturity, full-bodied fruit, finest acidity and dense structure. The red wines show concentrated color, fruit and ripe tannins. The capricious summer of 2016 posed a good many challenges to our winegrowers: aside from a few hot summer days, there were numerous wet days with above-average rainfall. In the end, the lovely, dry weeks from late August through early September were like a blessing, with warm days and cool nights. In addition, the cooler temperatures at the beginning of maturity slowed down the maturation process of the grapes. For that reason, the 2016 harvest began around ten days later than in 2015. 

  • Vintage 2015

    2015 will surely be recorded as a great year in the history of our cellar. The perfect ripening of our grapes, good tannins and a harmonious body are the foundation of exceptional wines - fruity, intense, and with a high density of flavour. In terms of weather, 2015 demanded a lot from our vines. The extreme temperatures put them to the test. Spring blossoming, in the lower areas, started in the middle of May. In Cornaiano it started around 20 May. The reason for this delay was a cold front that initially gave us a certain degree of serenity. In theory, therefore, the following months should have been good. However, all through June, July and August, the weather was hot and dry, with no exceptions. In the lower areas, the temperature was so high that the natural rhythm slowed down. Ripening proceeded slowly, with a slightly better situation in areas on the hills.

    If we have managed to reach a "happy ending", most of the credit goes to the month of September. The cool nights allowed the freshness and acidity to remain intact, thus paving the way to an excellent vintage. The harvest began almost simultaneously on 7 September, for most types of grape and in almost all areas. The Vernatsch harvest, on the other hand, began on 25 September. We expect a vintage with an all-time high level of quality, especially for the Vernatsch and Pinot Noir red wines. In addition,  Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Gewürztraminer white wines are all very promising.

  • Vintage 2014

    We held our breath in 2014 because of the weather. The year began in a very promising way, with a warm spring that caused an early bloom and an equally early bud development. We had a standard June, but from July to the end of August weather conditions were very difficult, with lots of rain, little sun and a high percentage of humidity in the air, which caused great suffering to vines below 400 m altitude. Our growers did however follow our instructions and worked in the vineyards with great diligence and dedication. To cope with the difficult situation we had to carry out an intensive trimming of the shoots and devote meticulous care to the vines. The elimination of damaged plants reduced the harvest by 15%-20%, but the most important thing for us was to have perfectly healthy grapes. Vineyards located at higher altitudes, on the other hand, were able to take advantage of a fine weather in autumn, so much so that in mid-September the grapes were virtually in perfect conditions.

    We expect results of very high quality for Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Sauvignon, but for Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir, although we anticipate a good year, the quantity produced will be lower. Our Vernatsch “Fass No. 9” and Vernatsch “Gschleier Alte Reben” are an entirely different story. Only grapes coming from 60-90 year old vines are used to produce these wines. In such a difficult year, they will come off better than the younger ones: the 2014 vintage will give us very fruity and elegant wines, with distinctive varietal characteristics.

  • Vintage 2013

    We started to harvest in mid-September, about two weeks later than the previous year, according to location and weather conditions. Despite some bad weather, in 2013 there have been no particular problems in the vineyards. Apart from the exceptionally violent hailstorm that occurred on 22 July and destroyed part of the harvest in the stricken areas, especially in the Bassa Atesina area. Luckily, our members’ vineyards suffered only limited damage. We expect an excellent year for our whites, which promise to be fresh, fruity and aromatic. We are also very pleased with the degree of ripeness and health of our Vernatsch and Pinot Noir. This year will be characterized by soft, elegant reds, with typical varietal character.

  • Vintage 2012

    In tight collaboration with our winegrowers we were able to harvest healthy grapes in 2012.

    However, a cold period with frost during the flowering followed by hot and dry week in July have had an impact on the harvested yields. In fact, the yields were 5-10% lower than in the previous vintage.

    The quality was very high due to smaller grapes with smaller berries which led to higher concentration. The acidity levels were very good, and the sugar values were slightly lower than in the previous years.

    The white wines are very fruity with a lot of freshness, whereas the red wines are fruity driven and elegant with great structure on the palate. 

  • Vintage 2011

    The golden days of late summer got everything ready. Although during 2011, many winegrowers at times looked at their vineyards with apprehension. But in the autumn, they harvested thoroughly ripe, healthy grapes.  The 2011 wine harvest began two weeks earlier, lasted considerably longer than was at first expected and, with just a few exceptions, was accompanied by absolute picture book weather. The results can be seen and, above all else, can be tasted. What the winegrowers picked during the 2011 harvest and the producers pressed and stored in their cellars is raising hopes for an outstanding vintage for 2011, as emerges from a survey in the various winegrowing regions of Alto Adige. The grapes demonstrated consistently high sugar levels. Although in comparison to the previous year, the acidity was somewhat reduced, nevertheless the connection between them was balanced. The white wines are showing a crispy freshness, and with the red wines, it is above all the Lagrein and Pinot Noir that are promising great drinking pleasure. On August 27th we had some hail, but due to the discipline of the winegrowers, who tirelessly busied themselves in the vineyards removing the affected berries. In this way, it was possible to prevent a spread of rotting to the healthy grapes.

  • Vintage 2010

    We are justifiably satisfied with the wines of the year 2010. These wines present themselves as fruity, fresh, and with their typical balanced harmony and appealing full-bodied structure. We had very dry weather in the early part of the year, which delayed the onset of the growing season. The year continued with early-summer temperatures, sunshine, and rather little precipitation. The lengthy hot and dry period in June and July was slightly disadvantageous for the growth of the grapes. The rainy period in August was thus very welcome. The cool nights have had a positive impact upon the ripening and quality of the grapes. But the in part low yields (depending upon the variety, between 10% and 25% lower than in 2009) were the prerequisite for the good to very good qualities of grapes we could harvest, given the somewhat dry conditions.

  • Vintage 2009

    The 2009 vintage has been marked by a regular climate. The harvest was brought forward by about 2 weeks compared to the 2008 harvest, due to the extremely mild spring that led to early flowering. Continuing mild weather conditions in September meant it was possible to continue with the harvesting according to the ripeness of the different vines and to bring extremely healthy grapes to the cellar. This all promises wines of notable harmony and elegance, as well as of “excellent quality”. We are expecting an historical vintage, of the highest quality, especially with the red wines.

  • Vintage 2008

    In spite of the initially difficult weather conditions, the return of good weather in the final weeks made it possible, in any case, for the correct veraison and ripening processes to occur, safeguarding the quality and integrity of the bunches. The grapes were harvested rather late compared to in previous years. We can say that this will be a standard vintage, with wines of good to very good quality and a lower alcohol content compared to that of previous years. The 2008 vintage is characterised by its elegant, refined, fruity bouquet with lively acidity, especially in the case of the whites.

  • Vintage 2007

    The 2007 vintage is most particular: the wines range from good quality to extraordinary and even some of excellence. All winemakers and experts in South Tyrol are in agreement on this. In 2007, harvesting commenced three weeks earlier than in previous years. The grapes were totally healthy and ripe, with a high sugar content and the right amount of acidity. The year 2007 brought with it elegant whites with a good degree of freshness and extremely promising reds.

  • Vintage 2006

    The 2006 vintage was a very good year for South Tyrol. Ideal weather conditions during the vegetative period meant optimum grape ripening.  Healthy, ripe grapes with a high sugar content and a good level of acidity. The whites are fruity and elegant, while the reds are well balanced with notable body.