Barolo production threatened by severe hailstorms
Lovers of fine Italian wine may be affected by a pair of severe hailstorms that have hit the region where barolo is made.
The weather hit La Morra and Serralunga d'Alba the hardest this morning (May 21st) and local producers believe it could affect the amount of barolo produced in 2010, decanter.com reports.
There is serious damage to one of Sergio Germano's estates and the Lazzarito plot, while Fontanafredda winemaker Danilo Drocco said he has lost half of his crop for the year in the Lazzarito cru.
However, young vintner Guiseppe Vaira said that it is too early to say whether the 2010 vintage is spoiled yet.
"If this is the worst we get, we will be alright," he told the news provider.
Speaking to Bloomberg, Barolo producer Pietro Ratti recently said the drinking habits of Italians are changing, with fewer consuming wine with lunch and a growing trend for sparkling wines like prosecco.