On Wednesday 13 September 2017, Bernard-Massard started their annual autumn harvest first with the Rebsorte Rivaner; over the last two weeks in September, they carried on seamlessly with the Burgundian varieties of Auxerrois, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris; the, during the first week of October, the Riesling harvest was started depending on the exact situation locally.
Altogether this year, Bernard-Massard were about two weeks earlier with the harvest compared to the long-term average. As a result of higher precipitation volumes compared to previous years in July, and especially September, the pressure on the grapes increased strongly.
Stephan Kraemer, kellermeister at Bernard-Massard, told Chronicle.lu "Each individual vineyard cellar was controlled by us at ever shorter intervals. Thus the reading plan could be specifically adapted to the maturity state in weighing with pressure of the rising decay. Through selective handles, the best and ripest grapes were harvested and pressed for us."
On 18 and 19 October they concluded the harvest with Riesling from the steep slope in the Wintrange Felsberg and a Riesling from the terraced plant in the Grevenmacher Groaerd with a very positive result.
The grapes were golden yellow and ripe with a very intense aroma. On average, however, the harvest is reported to be about 30% smaller than in normal harvest years.
The first young wines of the vine varieties Rivaner and Auxerrois are now finished with fermentation.
The young wines are very delicate and elegant.
Stephan Kraemer added "We are assuming that with the vintage 2017 we have a good quality vintage with very interesting wines in the cellar."
