On August 7, 2012, one of DoctorWine’s first editorials was the one you can read below, which we’re reposting here. It reads as if it were written today, and that can only be cause for concern. Will we ever learn? We should also note that the title is from that time and is not copied from the movie’s title.
Drought
“The damage caused by the African heat and the drought in rural areas; in many areas of Italy, we have called for a state of natural disaster and have urged that the dams be opened immediately to ensure sufficient water for emergency irrigation.”
“Due to the water shortage and record-breaking heat One-third of the corn crop and half of the beet and soybean crops will be lost. In addition, there are significant losses in both quality and quantity for forage crops, summer fruits, tomatoes, and grapes, with the Grape Harvest at Risk. “The cows are producing less milk.”
“The effects are being felt not only in the lowlands but also at high altitudes, where the scant snowfall last winter failed to provide the water reserves that the pastures need.”
It sounds like a war report, but it’s actually part of the press release issued by Confagricoltura is sending to the Italian press. I wanted to quote him verbatim to convey the gravity of what is happening. Due to drought in some regions, and hailstorms and storms in others—as unfortunately happened a few days ago in the Isarco Valley. Some producers in Veneto, Tuscany, and Puglia have told me that weather conditions are such that they are putting The grape harvest is in doubt.
Emergency irrigation
If it doesn’t rain in the next ten days, the risks will be very real. And it would truly be the first time in Italian history. Those who can are irrigating, disregarding the laws that prohibit it in DOC areas, except for the “emergency irrigation.” By the way, I wouldn’t want anyone to get it into their head to investigate whether or not this involves emergency irrigation. If so, whether there have been any violations of the law. In Italy, anything is possible, but I still think it’s reasonable to trust in the judiciary’s common sense. Not least because if irrigation were to be interrupted – even for short periods – it could easily say goodbye to at least 50% of this year’s production.
I know full well that DoctorWine’s readers are mostly wine enthusiasts, that they therefore don’t usually concern themselves with topics like these and prefer those related to tastings and reviews. But at a time like this, it’s only right to show solidarity with all those—many of whom are precisely the winemakers we hold in the highest regard—who watch, day after day, as part of their work goes to waste. Unfortunately, there’s nothing else we can do.
