This year’s harsh weather influence the grape yields as well. Many viticulturists say that they are harvesting lower yields, but many of them are happy with the quality of the grapes. The grapes are very sweet, have richer aromas than in previous years, and the wine they produce is just good enough for maturation. Head of Moldova’s Union of Oenologists Gheorghe Arpentin told Info-Prim Neo that the yield was influenced by three weather factors: the winter frosts, which affected the red sorts in particular, then, during blossom season, it was partly cold, partly warm, and the summer was torrid. According to Arpentin, albeit at loss quantity-wise, this year’s grapes can yield high quality wines, ones that are good for maturation. The prices will be influenced by the quantity of grapes harvested. “The prices for some sorts even doubled. If the price of the primary good has risen, it will also influence wine prices”, said Gheorghe Arpentin. Ion Luca, head of the Moldovan Association of Small Wine-making businesses, stated that the grape yield is lower than in previous years, but that he hopes for a high quality of the wines, to even out the expenses. Constantin Sirghi, head of the Moldovan Wine Producers and Exporters Union, said that it is still early to talk about the quantities of grapes collected this year. “It is true that the yield is lower, weight-wise; the grapes are lighter, because of the drought. If the yield is lower, it doesn’t automatically become better. In certain regions some sorts are better, others are worse”, said Constantin Sirghi. According to the producer, the plantations requested more work for good yields. In winter the stumps had to be buried, especially in places exposed to frost spikes, the soil required irrigation in regions where the drought was more severe. “These things require additional workers and expenses”, said Sirghi. Constantin Sirghi added that from his discussions with Italian and French winemakers he understood that this year will reflect differently on the market, yet the producers have to pay attention to price variations, since the demand may fall once the prices rise.