2022 Tuscany Vintage

Chianti Classico had no spring frosts in 2022 and no hail. Heat began in late spring and stayed constant through the summer, but without excessive peaks, so the vines adapted to the high temperatures. Spring rains gave the vines reserves of water and nutrients to draw on during the summer drought, which did not harm bunch development, and cooler nights kept Sangiovese phenolics developing at a regular rate. In mid-August, periods of prolonged rain moderated the heat and topped up water reserves. In Montepulciano, high average temperatures in May, June and July made the year decidedly early. Annual rainfall of 662 mm was within the local average, but the first 8 months ran 38 percent below normal and the last 4 months 35 percent above, a distribution that in general avoided water stress. In Montalcino, 75 to 80 millimeters of rain in the days before 11 August 2022 brought vines that were beginning to go into stress back to vigor, with average highs of 33 degrees and lows of 18. Chianti Classico picked Sangiovese slightly earlier than the norm, from around 10 September, over the usual month; most Vino Nobile was picked in the second half of September. Montepulciano's production was lower than average but decidedly more abundant than 2021.

• Chianti Classico: no spring frost, no hail; constant summer heat without excessive peaks; mid-August rain
• Montepulciano: hot May to July; first 8 months 38 percent below normal rainfall, last 4 months 35 percent above
• Montalcino: 75 to 80 mm of rain before 11 August 2022 revived stressed vines
• Harvest: Chianti Classico from around 10 September; Vino Nobile mostly in the second half of September

By 11 August 2022, Tuscany was struggling with heat and lack of rain. At Tenute Silvio Nardi in Montalcino, kaolin was spread on the foliage to reduce transpiration. Emilia Nardi added, "Clusters are smaller and production will be lower, but the smaller berry size could be the basis for excellent quality." At Brolio in Gaiole in Chianti, water stress appeared especially where stonier soils keep roots shallow, and relief irrigation was used above all for young vineyards. At Castello di Querceto in the high hills of Greve, the vines were holding up well to water stress but needed some rain and lower maximum temperatures to ripen properly. In Maremma, Ettore Rizzi of Fattoria Le Pupille called the vintage "extravagant" but less dramatic than elsewhere, probably thanks to the sea.

• Montalcino: Tenute Silvio Nardi used kaolin to cut transpiration and expected lower production
• Chianti Classico: Brolio saw water stress on stony soils in Gaiole in Chianti
• Chianti Classico: Nittardi in Castellina in Chianti expected grapes rich in polyphenols and great structure
• Maremma: conditions at Fattoria Le Pupille were less dramatic than elsewhere, probably thanks to the sea

In Chianti Classico, heat and relatively low humidity kept disease risk low and the grapes arrived very healthy. The Consorzio's first tastes of the new wines seemed very well balanced, with good acidity and ripe, sweet tannins. For Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, WineNews reported the 2022 harvest as five stars. Grapes were in excellent health at harvest, and wines tasted after malolactic fermentation showed very intense color, notable aromatic complexity, very good concentration, abundant fine tannins and medium acidity, with high alcohol, extract and polyphenols.

• Chianti Classico: very well balanced first tastes, good acidity, ripe and sweet tannins
• Vino Nobile: harvest reported as five stars by WineNews
• Vino Nobile: very intense color, notable aromatic complexity, medium acidity