If the benign weather conditions persist between
now and the harvest, the Consejo Regulador is optimistic of a larger harvest
than last year and one of great quality. They estimate that if the Levante wind
behaves as it has during this first month of summer, production could be at
least 20-25% higher than last year.
Rainfall has been equal to the historic average
(620 litres per square metre per year) with certain variations according to
location as some vineyards are closer to the sea than others. Importantly the
rain fell evenly and without storms, maintaining a good moisture level in the
vineyards and not causing soil erosion which happens when torrential rain falls
in a short time.
During spring 200l/m² fell in the form of
various showers which allowed the soil to recuperate the water consumed by the
vines and evaporation from the rise in temperatures. The summer has been very
dry so far, but some morning dew has fallen after periods of intense heat and
the albariza soil’s extraordinary capacity to retain the humidity from the
spring rain and supply the vines with their needs has meant that they are not
suffering any hydric stress.
Between January and the middle of May the
Levante wind made its presence felt, even causing some damage at the end of
spring, but it has moderated so far this summer, only bringing a couple of
periods of intense heat, and this has been compensated for by a few days of the
cooler Poniente wind and early morning dewfall.
The Consejo says that the health of the grapes couldn’t
be better and there have been very few incidences of insect damage, while
mildew, which caused so many problems last year is all but absent, along with
oidium, and any incidences have been isolated to more humid coastal vineyards.
All in all the grapes have ripened very well
and it looks as though the harvest will begin at the end of the second week of
August, 7-10 days earlier than last year. It promises to be a great one - if
the weather stays fair.
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