“The 2016 vintage can be compared to the 2015 as we experienced a very hot summer,” remarks Silvia Giordano from Zeni, “but without reaching muggy temperatures such as 38-40 degrees Celsius (104 – 116) as happened for other vintages.”

At the Stefano Accordini estate in Fumane, Marco Accordini notes that the location of their vineyards mitigated the hot temperatures. “We are the highest winery of Valpolicella at 550 meters (1800 feet) above sea level, so thanks to this we did not have very warm days, even during July. It means that also 2016 vintage was excellent for us; for the composition of the grapes there was a high sugar content, good acidity and a particular richness in anthocyanins (deepness of color).”

Righetti recalls very beneficial weather in the late summer and early spring. “September, at the beginning of the harvest, the weather was more dry and windy, with high difference of temperature from day to night. What the plant had generated for its survival remained in the bunches, thus increasing the body and color in the wines.”