The high temperatures (well into the 40’s) registered in the
Sherry vineyards over the weekend have advanced the grapes’ state of
ripeness already to at least the minimum
10.5 degrees Beaume required by the CRDO for picking. This represents 2 degrees
more than a few days ago. Overnight dew has done nothing to mitigate this
intense ripening, and more high temperatures are forecast.
The heat has upset the plans of the growers and bodegas who
had expected a later than usual harvest. Now it will probably start next week.
While the hot dry conditions will eliminate any risk of health problems in the
grapes, the heat and west wind could still further reduce the size of the crop.
It should be remembered that while the high sugar levels will save the bodegas
a little cash in fortification spirit, the growers are paid by weight, and will
lose out further.
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| Looking towards Macharnudo castle, Jerez |
The harvest looks like being 20-25% smaller than last year,
or about 50 million kilos, of which 40 million will qualify as Sherry, as
compared with the 64 million and 54 million last year. According to the CRDO’s
survey in the second half of July the harvest will yield between 6.5 and 7000
kilos per hectare, representing a drop of 15%.
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