Alsace 2011

After a short winter, spring came early and broke all records being the driest since 1960 and the warmest since 1900. The vine’s vegetative cycle seemed to rush ahead with an early and bountiful flowering. A repeat of 2003? Not a chance as July signalled an end to both the drought and the heat wave and the vines returned to a much more leisurely pace. The summer made its comeback during the second half of August and was followed by a fine long Indian summer. Conditions for the harvest were perfect: the grapes were fully ripe and there was even the chance to make some sweet lateharvest wines.