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It's harvest time for the King of the Valle d'Itria, the Grape (vitis vinifera). In actuality it is under great risk of extinction as most vineyards, sited in some small oasis, are tended by the old farmers who cultivate these prestigious plants daily with care, dedication and much exertion. They have been taught this craft by their forefathers and we hope, with some trepidation, that they will teach their sons how to tend and care for the plants in the future. But unfortunately, the new generation prefer to spend their summer evenings with friends rather than spend their time in the fields working hard back breaking hours.
For many it is much easier to dip into Papa's wine cellar or better still go to the supermarket. It's true that the work involved is not at all easy and requires a great deal of time and intervention at various stages of maturity of the fruit. Ploughing, treatment and pruning are all required to ensure this fruit arrives healthy and ready for the September harvest. And despite the immense satisfaction from trying the fruits of that hard labour with friends and family, few are taking up their forefathers tradition of grape harvesting and wine-making.
To see the re-emergence of our beloved vines in the valley is perhaps a dream. Perhaps some of our readers will take it upon themselves to develop their own vineyard, creating their own oasis in the Valle d'Itria with the knowledge that their contribution has implications on the future development of our territory, maintaining its cultural, economic and touristic significance in the international arena of wine production. Grapes particularly well adapted to the Valle d'Itria are the Verdeca – a grape variety traditionally selected for the “alberello” and once upon a time found in ancient Greece; referring to the type of vine on which they grow, preferring the land in the valleys and thereby producing a vigorous and productive produce. A white grape with medium sized bunches, spherical, tender, a whitish green colour, and finally maturing at the end of September to the middle of October. A fundamental grape used as the base of many great wines of the Valle d'Itria. Vendemmia 2009 The 2009 Vendemmia so far shows that the grapes are in large quantities and of excellent quality. Despite a rather wet winter and a spring which brought us yet more rain, the grapes were not inhibited in their development. In fact the weather conditions encouraged and initiated a large grape harvest; with chemical treatment limited if not canceled altogether. This followed a hot summer without any bad storms which can damage the grapes. The Vendemmia is here in a few days and we anticipate an excellent harvest 2009.

Extracted from website http://www.pugliauncovered.com