2006

The 2005-2006 winter saw scarce precipitations and very low minimum temperatures (similar to the winter of 1999-2000). Not until the end of January did any significant snowfalls occur, but these were followed by persistent covering of the ground, thanks to low temperatures, which lasted throughout February and March. In short, a “classical” Piedmont winter, the likes of which had not been seen for quite some time.

April saw temperatures gradually return to normal levels, while rainfall was below average in a month that is usually the rainiest in the Langhe. This tendency towards little or no rain continued into the months of May, June, and July (150-200 mm below the average, excluding 2003 levels).

The beginning of June signalled the first heat wave from Africa, with extremely high maximum temperatures, which was then interrupted by violent storms towards the end of the month.

July again registered high temperatures and little precipitation, and many thought it was going to be similar to 2003. Instead, there was a drastic change of weather in August, with a sudden drop in temperatures, very little sunshine, and continued shortage of ground-water reserves.

Temperatures rose again at the end of the month, and remained high until the middle of September, when 120 mm, practically all of the rain that had not fallen in the preceding 6 months, fell in only two days. This was followed by a week of fine weather, and then another 2 days of rain, which added 80 mm to the month’s total. In fact, September’s rain accounted for 60% of the precipitation that fell during the entire vegetative period.

The end of the month and the beginning of October were marked by unusually high temperatures accompanied by good contrasts between night and day temperatures, which resulted in optimal ripening conditions and Nebbiolo being harvested within the first 10 days of October.