Picking began in Sanlúcar on Monday.
Traditionally it begins later than in Jerez because the vineyards nearer the
coast ripen later. One of the most important cooperatives, Covisan, which has a
membership of some 170 growers and sells mosto to bodegas like Argüeso, La
Guita, La Gitana and Elías Guzmán has begun to press the grapes. They foresee a
25% reduction in quantity; last year they produced about 5 million kilos and
this year the likelihood is 4 million as the grapes contain less juice.
The other Sanlúcar cooperative, Virgen de la
Caridad, which has 340 growers, expects to start tomorrow, Thursday. Samples
indicate a decent sugar content of 11-11.5ᴼ Beaumé but the hot weather and
especially the Levante wind have conspired to reduce the juice content of the
grapes, and they are expecting a reduction of 25-30%, though they can’t be sure
about that or the effects of the mildew till the grapes are pressed. Last year
they harvested 7 million kilos.
About 50% of the 800 hectares of vineyard in
the Sanlúcar area were affected by mildew at the end of May and early June
causing considerable losses. The drying effect of the Levante, which blew more
than usual this year, stopped the mildew but also reduced the water content of
the surviving grapes, reducing the final yield yet further. The quality however
appears to be very good. Of the 31 press houses registered at the Consejo
Regulador, 27 are now working.
No comments:
Post a Comment