If the mild temperatures continue, then the first vines will be plucked at the end of September.
Luxembourg's Moselle vineyards experienced their worst harvest in 1984 and 1987. Fortunately, such a situation is now a thing of the past, thanks to Alsace researcher Pierre Huglin, who developed a specialised index in the 1970s to avoid the risk of a poor harvest. The index makes it possible for vintners to establish whether a specific vine in the region will be capable of reaching maturity.
2021's inclement weather conditions could have been cause for concern for the country's winemakers, but despite a cold spring and a rainy summer, the Moselle grapes have managed to develop normally. Nevertheless, vineyard owners will be hoping that this week's forecast of rain will not adversely affect their harvest.
As in 2020, the Grand Duchy's vineyards will once again seek seasonal help from abroad when it comes to harvesting the grapes; although this year, rapid tests will be made available to seasonal workers to ensure the harvest proceeds as safely as possible given the global pandemic.
Watch the RTL Télé report below (in Luxembourgish):
