Luxembourg Agriculture Minister Martine Hansen and Home Affairs Minister Léon Gloden, pictured with winegrowers, MPs and tourist office representatives, among others;
Credit: MA
Luxembourg's Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, Martine Hansen, took part in the grape harvest in Remich on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
As reported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture, the grape harvest "slowly" began in the first week of September. This week, Minister Hansen took part in the harvest in the vineyard of the Wine Institute (IVV) in Remich. Together with representatives of the Organisation Privatwënzer Lëtzebuerg, Domaines Vinsmoselle, the Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Vins et Spiritueux and the IVV, the minister discussed the start of this year's grape harvest and the 2024 vintage in perspective.
The ministry noted that a rainy spring, late frosts and unstable weather put the development of the berries and the patience of the winegrowers to the test. However, during this "difficult" year, the Moselle winegrowers have demonstrated their know-how and met the "high quality" requirements that characterise Luxembourgish viticulture, according to the ministry. The latter added that the winegrowers are "optimistic" and "eager" to transform these grapes into wines and crémants for consumers.
The Agriculture Ministry described the grape harvest on the Moselle as "a unique event": about 800 people come from near and far to help the winegrowers bring the grapes into the cellar. The majority of them come from neighbouring countries and Eastern Europe. A few jobseekers also got involved during a special "job day" organised by ADEM at the IVV.
Regarding the vintage, with the arrival of summer, the grape ripening period began under hot and dry conditions. These stable temperatures currently allow for "optimal" development of the bunches, noted the ministry. Despite the "significant" yield losses, the vines still in production "give hope for a high-quality harvest". Expectations for the 2024 harvest are therefore "optimistic": if the weather holds, the grapes should offer a "promising" concentration of aromas.
Minister Hansen also expressed her optimism: "Despite a laborious harvest with smaller quantities, the 2024 vintage promises to be of excellent quality, fine and balanced! The grapes harvested manually for the production of Crémant de Luxembourg and personalised high-end wines are a guarantee of excellence and the good reputation of our cellars!"
She later added: "In the era of climate change, there is no longer really a bad year on the Luxembourg Moselle. Each vintage has its own typicality, such as the 2020 vintage with its high degree of maturity, or the 2021 vintage, rather known for its freshness. The value of Luxembourg wines and crémants therefore goes far beyond their taste quality. Our wines are the fruit of a harmonious relationship between man and nature, a deep attachment to the land, and a respect for traditions."
