WINEMAKERS DELIGHTED WITH THIS YEAR’S HARVEST: GRAPES PROMISE EXCEPTIONAL WINES

The grapes currently being harvested across Republika Srpska are of exceptional quality and, according to local winemakers, have all the characteristics needed to produce outstanding wines. Although drought affected yields in some areas, the quality, aromas, and other characteristics of the grapes are giving winemakers plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

PHOTO: Ilustracija GPT

Some are already describing this year’s harvest as one of the best of this century.

VUKOJE: A FANTASTIC HARVEST THAT WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR YEARS

Radovan Vukoje, director of “Podrumi Vukoje 1982”, says the quality of this year’s grapes is exceptional, thanks in large part to almost ideal conditions in the vineyards.

“During the summer, we experienced somewhat drier conditions, but thanks to our irrigation system, we managed to preserve the freshness of the grapes. Yields are at last year’s level, while the quality is exceptionally high,” Vukoje said.

High daytime temperatures combined with cooler nights in the Trebišnjica area contributed to grapes with pronounced aromas and great potential in terms of extract and dry matter.

Vukoje believes this will be a harvest people will talk about for years to come.

“I think this will be a fantastic harvest that will be remembered for years. Compared with previous years, I would say this is one of the best harvests of this century. In some respects, quantities may be slightly lower than in previous years, but the quality will be truly fantastic,” Vukoje emphasized.

SMALLER YIELDS, EXCELLENT QUALITY

Similar assessments are coming from the “Crveni Brijeg” Winery. Its owner and president of the Assembly of Winemakers and Winegrowers of Republika Srpska, Boban Kovačić, says that quantities are somewhat lower, but the grapes harvested so far have been of excellent quality.

“The quantity may be slightly lower, but the quality is excellent, and quality is what we focus on. We are very satisfied with what we have harvested so far. There are still some varieties waiting to be picked, so we will see when they are ready, but we expect a very good year and excellent wines,” Kovačić said.

The harvest began in mid-August and is expected to continue into the second half of September, with the exact end date depending on the ripeness and condition of the grapes.

“We go into the vineyard, assess the grapes, and decide when they are ready for harvesting. At the moment, we are approximately halfway through,” Kovačić explained.

A GOOD YEAR FOR VINEYARDS SPARED BY EXTREME WEATHER

Speaking about vineyards across Republika Srpska, Kovačić said that this has generally been a good year for producers whose vineyards were spared spring frosts, hail, and other severe weather.

However, conditions were not the same in all areas.

“It has been a good year for everyone who did not have problems with spring frost. We have, for example, a colleague from Prnjavor whose vineyards were hit by a severe and prolonged hailstorm, which practically destroyed the entire crop. For those who did not experience such problems, I believe the quality of the grapes will be good and that this will be a successful year,” Kovačić said.

Although drought generally reduced yields, it has not diminished expectations when it comes to the quality of the wines that will be produced.

“We focus on quality, and I believe we have excellent grapes from which we can produce premium wines. What we have harvested so far is very good, and we expect the parameters of the grapes we are currently monitoring to be equally promising,” Kovačić emphasized.

Winemakers are now hoping for stable weather, without hail or other severe conditions, until the harvest is complete. If the weather remains favorable, this year’s grapes could produce wines in the cellars of Republika Srpska that will be remembered for years to come.