Who cares!

The first news from this year’s grape harvest from state broadcaster RAI was that a winery in Franciacorta began picking its grapes on August 10 or there about. Citing the farmers’ union Coldiretti as its source, RAI added that they were the first to do so.

Allow me to make a couple of observations. First, who cares? Why this should be considered ‘news’ is beyond me. Second, the news is false. I know for a fact that two major cooperatives, Due Palme in Puglia and Settesoli in Sicily, started harvesting between August 6 and 7. Perhaps this was not reported because they are not members of Coldiretti, which appears to have become the only source of information for the general press. Or maybe it was not considered news enough to be run as a ‘scoop’, along the lines of aliens landing on earth.

One last consideration, it is quite normal that harvesting grapes for the production of sparkling wine begins in August, above all when the weather has been like it has this year. And I really don’t think there are any grounds to bring up global warming, as some have, to explain the ‘phenomenon’. It would appear that the ‘nose for news’ of some of my journalist has taken a summer break. Then again, it’s vacation time for everyone and so we must be patient.