2008
Winter snowfall was within average, with 2-3 significant events making an substantial contribution to water reserves. However, as the first 3 months of the year registered above-average temperatures, what did fall did not stay on the ground long. On the other hand, persistent cloud coverage in April and May caused below-average monthly temperatures, which meant that budding and the subsequent growth of shoots occurred 20 days later than in recent years.
Late bud-burst determined a progressive slowing down of the phenological process up until maturation and harvest, which was one of the latest, along with those of 2002 and 2004, in the last decade.
But what really conditioned the vintage was the exceptional amount of rain, with about 150 mm falling in 17 days during the period from May 11th to June 10th, right at the end of flowering and the beginning of bud-set, which were obviously delayed. From June 20th both maximum and average temperatures returned to normal, bringing on rapid vegetative development and growth of the grapes which, as a consequence, then needed more time to ripen adequately.
July was cool and dry, while August was very wet and rainy up to the middle of the month. A hot and dry period then set in which practically lasted until the 10th of October, maintaining an accumulation of heat which allowed late varieties especially (Nebbiolo and Barbera), to recover lost time and ripen properly, with high sugar balanced by significant levels of acidity and optimal phenolic ripening.