News from Jerez 8.8.12

This year's harvest estimates keep coming in but don't get any better. Growers in Trebujena and inland areas of Sanlucar fear a loss of up to 50% on last year. The severe drought has not allowed the grapes to bulk out. The picture for the Sherry zone as a whole still looks to be down some 20%. At least with the drought there have been no rot problems, and the vines have been treated for insects. Currently sugar readings in the grapes are around 9 degrees Beaume, still 1.5 degrees short of the level required by the Consejo for picking, which will be about a fortnight late. And another heatwave with record temperatures is forecast......