The coming grape harvesting in Tuscany is said to be earlier than usual because of the high temperatures of last winter and spring. Experts state that most grapes will be ripe enough already in late August and the vintage 2007 will be memorable.

This is due to the warmth given by the sun to every single white and red grape early this year causing a quicker maturing process. As a consequence, some of the grapes are now so sweet that one can even already pick and eat them.

The grapes in the vineyards have already undergone a strict selection, after which only the best bunches are left hanging on the vines, whereas the imperfect ones have been cut and thrown to the ground to release their substances in the soil. In this way the grapes left can better absorb the sunlight and benefit from the rich mineral elements coming from the soil.

By now, farmers are quite happy and satisfied of both the quality and the quantity of the new coming wine production.

Unlike wine, the 2007 olive oil production is not particularly promising. Actually, farmers say that its quality is going to be excellent this year, but they are very disappointed about the quantity. Apparently there is shortage of olives on the branches but in fact this is something common. In agriculture it is well known that in suitable weather conditions the olive trees have a big number of olives in a given year and they are only able to supply a small quantity of extra virgin olive oil in the following one.

All that is to be seen when the harvesting of the grapes and of the olives will arrive. In the meantime both nature and the Tuscan skilful farmers are working to create high quality extra virgin olive oil and wines.