With the 2016 vintage barely
a month away, the Consejo Regulador, in its first harvest prediction, estimates a crop reduction of
10-15% because of the recent mildew attack. This will leave about 68 million
kilos of grapes. Vineyards nearer the coast around Sanlúcar and Trebujena were
the worst affected by the mildew since they have higher humidity than those situated
inland. The Consejo puts the area of land affected by mildew at 7-10%, noting
that the Levante (west wind, which has been blowing recently, has reduced the
chance of an attack of oidium, another fungal disease which affects the quality
of the grape rather than the quantity.
The 2015 harvest totalled 76.4 million kilos of
grapes, of which 68 million qualified for Sherry production, whereas this year
the Consejo expects about 68 million of which 65 million will qualify. It should
be remembered that the 2015 harvest was 14% bigger than 2014, thanks to good
weather conditions leading up to the harvest, and the Consejo is cautious, reminding
everyone of the saying that “August has the key to the harvest” and much
depends on whether the Poniente or the Levante winds predominate. The Levante is
hot and dry and reduces the crop, and temperatures are already high in Cádiz. It
is still early to say, but many think this year’s harvest will be a little
later than last year when it began mid-August.
Fedejerez, the
association of Sherry bodegas has re-joined the Federación Española del Vino
(FEV), of which it
was a founder member in 1978. The FEV is an organisation which represents the entire
Spanish wine sector. Fedejerez had let its membership lapse in recent years,
but some bodegas remained on their individual account. Pau Roca, general
secretary of the FEV said he was delighted to have a founder member back in the
fold, especially at a time when unity in the sector is so important.
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