From “century vintage” to “near perfect”

The last wine year 2021 was a huge challenge for Swiss winemakers: too much rain, hail damage and downy mildew led to sometimes dramatic harvest losses despite surprisingly high quality. That’s why many wished for a slightly less demanding year for 2022. That wish has come true, as Blick’s new vintage research among leading wine growers from all wine regions shows.

Luigi Zanini (50), Castello Luigi, Besazio TI
«2022 is the vintage of the century! Although the sugar concentration was already high in early September, much patience was required to wait for full polyphenolic and aromatic maturity. Its color, structure and tannins are wonderful. We finished the harvest on October 7th with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Long live the 2022 vintage!»

Martha (63) and Daniel Gantenbein (62), Fläsch GR
“We harvested the last grapes on October 6. The dry summer worried us a little, but it rained just in time. So we can look back on a great year. As every year, the pre-selection made before the harvest for quality assurance in the vineyard forced us. The result looks very good both in terms of quantity and quality. We were able to harvest the grapes when they were ripe, but their Oechsle quality was not very high. With Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, we seek strength, concentration and grace. If the alcohol content is too high, some of its elegance is lost, but the grapes should still be ripe. It’s always a tense walk, but we’re very pleased.”

Jean-Pierre Pellegrin (61), Domaine Grand’Cour, Satigny GE
«2022 will be a beautiful vintage! Young vines had to suffer, as their roots could not develop perfectly. But everything was great with about five years old. We waited for the short-term rain to end before picking some grape varieties, which fully bore fruit. Vintage was probably hot, but never quite as hot as 2013 or 2018. A vine loves only the sun, it will remain so forever – like people. As a result: in 2022, we Geneva vineyards can call ourselves spoiled vineyards.”

Catherine Cruchon (35), Domaine Henri Cruchon, Echichens VD
“It’s still too early to make an exact prediction, but everything points to a very nice, balanced nostalgia, it was warm but never as hot as in previous years. For example, in Chasselas, the sugar skyrocketed, not like in 2018/19. pH values ​​are 3.2 to 3.4, which is extremely interesting for a very warm vintage. Nitrogen levels were low which made it difficult for fermentation to accelerate. But then it worked. The grape sanitary condition was great, the juices were very concentrated. We are extremely positive for 2022.”

Diego Mathier (52), Adrian & Diego Mathier Nouveau Salquenen AG, Salgesch VS
«2022 will be a sensational, brilliant vintage. This is also indicated by the finished fermentation wines. The first impression is great: great tannin structure, fully ripe, yet immature and crunchy despite the heat. You are always looking for the perfect wine. With this unique material sourced from vineyards, you have the foundation to make near-perfect wines. And even after harvesting the vines were still full of juice. In such a hot year, it is important not to reduce the yield too much. As is often the case, it is better to drop a kilo rather than 500 to 600 grams per square meter on the bar. The growing season is longer and the harvest is later. If you don’t and reduce as usual, press jam.”

Markus Ruch (45), Neunkirch SH
“We started the wine harvest with white grapes earlier than ever in the last week of August and finished the harvest with Pinot Noir on September 20. The grapes were very healthy but somewhat heterogeneous, with good sugar content and a little too much acidity. But we look forward to this forgiving nostalgia beyond 2021.”

Urs Zweifel (53), Zurich city winemaker, Zweifel 1898, Höngg ZH
“We had a very hot and dry summer. We were already afraid of boiled blackberries, lots of alcohol and lack of grace. This was not the case because towards the end of summer it rained quite a bit. This allowed the grapes to ripen and become fruity. So sugar was not as high as feared. Wines will be fruity and elegant. Because Pinot Noir isn’t overly alcoholic either. In addition, the quantity is good, which of course makes us happy. The best vintage going towards 2022, 2011 or 2015.”