Germany's main grape harvest has begun earlier than ever recorded after the country's exceptionally hot summer accelerated ripening across its wine-growing regions, the German Wine Institute said on Friday.
The record-early harvest continues a trend seen in recent decades, with higher temperatures affecting when grapes ripen, as well as their sugar and acidity levels.
Where and when is the harvest starting?
"This was the earliest start to the harvest ever in all wine-growing regions," institute spokesman Ernst Büscher said. "Some winegrowers even cut short their holidays because of it."
Harvesting is already underway across Germany's wine regions, from Saxony in the east to Lake Constance in the south.
