Heatwave in September accelerates grape harvest in South Moravia, causing fruit to dry

The grape harvest in South Moravia has been sped up due to ongoing high temperatures, with heatwaves continuing into September. Grapes are drying out, reducing vineyard yields, especially in late-ripening varieties, according to experts. Harvesting began earlier than usual, about two to three weeks ahead of schedule. While the smaller fruit size may result in lower yields, with some vineyards expecting losses of up to 30%, the quality of the harvested grapes remains excellent, especially for red wine varieties. Wineries are facing challenges in organizing the harvest as multiple grape varieties are ripening simultaneously.