Italian wine union:  Downy mildew more and more widespread, especially the organic vineyards are at risk

Downy mildew is on the alert among the vineyards. The fungus that affects vines, after two years of absence due to drought, has reappeared with the late spring rains and is casting a shadow over the next harvest. The alarm was sounded a week ago by the professor of viticulture and oenology at the University of Milan, Attilio Scienza and the president of the oenologists, Riccardo Cotarella. The Unione Italiana Vini takes the field today and estimates expected losses in some areas for the next harvest, up to minus 40%. The forecast was outlined by the Observatory of the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) through interviews with companies of wine made on the territories. In general, organic viticulture is most affected, which in some areas is strongly compromised, while the most damaged regions are those of the Adriatic coast, starting from Abruzzo and Molise with losses of up to 40%, but also many areas of the Marche, Basilicata and Puglia which face the harvest with expected drops in the ...