While one awaits the expected rains, which everyone hopes, will bring some relief, the intense heat which has gripped Europe and Italy and has been making headlines for days has also been the focus of attention in the vineyards. And while there is no need to talk about an emergency yet, one hopes the weather will be milder in the coming days, as Leonardo Valenti, professor of Viticulture at the University of Milan and one of Italy leading experts, recently explained to WineNews, also Giovanni Bigot, agronomist and creator of the “Bigot Index” which monitors the health of vineyards using various parameters, also says “don’t panic”, even if some problems are starting to appear. The heat problem is also affecting the vineyards. In general, with these climatic conditions - high temperatures and, in some cases, strong winds - many soils have lost almost 60 millimeters of water in 10 days, a third of average water reserves. Furthermore, some drying and sunburn of some bunches is already occurring, and that is irreversible. Let’s say that serious damage isn’t widespread yet, but it’s starting to be visible, especially in the North. Part of the problem is also due to the fact that this strong heat wave didn’t allow the vines much time to acclimatize, as the first part of the season had generally been cool and rainy. The sudden heat has brought about some imbalances in the plants, the effects of which are beginning to be noticed”. This, of course, doesn’t mean the 2026 harvest is compromised. But, Bigot underlines, “as always in difficult times, the differences between the older vineyards and the younger ones become evident, with the former adapting and self-regulating better than the latter; the differences are evident between those who have taken better care of the vineyard, the soil, the canopy, and have used shading nets effectively, and those who have not”. “The issue is always the same: we haven’t implemented the policies which could have helped yet - added Valenti - such as covering the grapes with nets or other systems, and so we are running into the problems of this year. As with all things, there’s a limit beyond which we can’t go. We haven’t reached that limit yet, however, if it continues like this - and I fervently hope not - we could have problems”.