Decanter World Wine AwardsCzech Republic harvest 'worst in 25 years'
- Thursday 17 February 2011
Growers in 2010 produced 45,923 metric tons of grapes from approximately 16,000 hectares of vineyards, down by a third from the year before and less than half of the 2008 and 2007 harvests.
Jirí Sedlo, chairman of the country’s Winemakers Association (SV), blamed a fungous disease attacking the vines and poor weather - dry spells alternating with showers and several hailstorms.
Sedlo went on to say that that although the price of grapes went up in 2010, Czech winemakers will have lost out because the increase was not enough to compensate for the drop in yields.
Production of wine in the Czech Republic was around 380,000 litres in 2010, again down from previous years. Import of wine is therefore expected to rise from 60% to 80%.
Have your say!
Ash
August 14 18:36
I think 'world class' is pushing it a little.
Typically Germanic grapes show well, particularly Gruner.
When compared to the best of Wachau they fall well short but provide a fairly inexpensive alternative. However internationally Czech wine is overpriced.
The Gewertztraminers I have tried lack in intensity, spice and can be overly sweet.
Thomas
April 10 07:12
There are some excellent Czech winemakers, mostly in Moravia. They are producing world-class wines that are attaining recognition in international competitions.
Piet
February 17 23:47
I think the real news here is that Czech apparently makes wine at all :-)