Thursday, 30 August 2012

News from Jerez 30.8.12


The 2012 harvest is nearly half way through. According to Juan Fernando Bernal vineyard manager of Gonzalez Byass, who as of today have finished the harvest in their own vineyards, there hasn’t been such a short harvest in 40 years. In only 9 days they have picked 2.5 million kilos to which will be added grapes from contracted suppliers.

Sr Bernal said that because of the drought the grapes arrived at the presses small but in excellent condition, the yield was down between 25-30% on last year, however. It is interesting to note the variations in ripeness in the different areas of the area; in Jerez the Beaume levels are over 11.65, in Trebujena up to 11.22 and elsewhere (nearer the coast) less than that. In Sanlucar they are picking at 10.82. One advantage of high Beaume (sugar) readings is of course that less spirit will be needed to fortify the wines, representing a small saving.

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