THE CLIMATIC SITUATION IN NORTHERN AND CENTRAL ITALY
Winter was prolonged along the whole Alpine, Pre-Alpine
and Apennine ranges with heavy snowfall as late as March.
This resulted in high water reserves which were boosted
by spring rainfall. Temperatures were marginally above
average in May. At the beginning of June, the temperature
dropped signifi cantly for about a week, subsequently rising
in conjunction with further precipitation at the end of June/
beginning of July. There followed a long, dry period with
above-average temperatures until the end of September,
with only a brief period of a couple of days of much-needed
rain. In all the vines, Masi notes an excellent quality of grapes
with quantities around 10% below last year’s figures