This August 17, the pruners are already at work at the Pieretti estate, in Cap Corse. Here, the harvest began around September 10 thirty years ago. The calendar has been reversed.
In the middle of the ranks from Niellucciu to Luri, winemaker Lina Venturi-Pieretti sums up this upheaval: , she explains to France 3 Corse ViaStella.
Drought and early harvests: Corsican winegrowers facing climate change
On the island, Corsican winegrowers tell the same thing. The harvests of many estates are now moving towards the second half of August, especially for the earliest grape varieties.
The DRAAF Corsica reports also mention very hot and dry vintages, such as 2017 or 2022. Periods of drought alternate with violent rains, which harm the vines.
At the Pieretti estate, adapt each plot to storms and wind
On the Niellucciu plot, Lina Venturi-Pieretti notices smaller berries, sometimes burned, sometimes burst after a storm. Each gust of wind or downpour can cause part of the harvest to be lost.
She therefore adjusts the harvest dates plot by plot, depending on actual maturity and health status. The objective remains to preserve the balance of freshness, the signature of Cap Corse wines.
How island winegrowers are reinventing their practices for tomorrow
Throughout Corsica, island winegrowers are testing new practices, often with the support of CRVI, the Corsican Wine Research Center. Many solutions aim to better manage heat and lack of water:
- install shade nets and adjust the height of the canopy;
- adapt the orientation of the rows to limit direct sunlight;
- rationalize irrigation within the framework of local restrictions;
- plant vines higher in altitude, above 600 meters.
Some projects, such as Viticors’Alti or Vitilience, also rely on vines planted at higher altitudes. Endemic grape varieties, including Niellucciu and Vermentinu, are being studied as assets in the face of climate change.
Why do the harvests start earlier in Corsica?
Higher temperatures accelerate the maturity of the grapes, especially by the sea. The estates therefore bring forward the harvest to maintain freshness.
How do Corsican winegrowers manage drought?
They adapt their practices: tillage, limitation of yields, rational irrigation when authorized, and protection against evaporation and direct sunlight.
What is the role of the CRVI in Corsica?
The CRVI coordinates trials on grape varieties, growing techniques and new terroirs, to help estates adapt to the future climate.
