20.9.13 Andalucia's Place in Wine World; Harvest; Mundus Vini Awards

Andalucia occupies 8^th place in terms of wine production in Spain. Average production of 1.6 million hectolitres only achieves 3.4% of the national total. More than half of the Andaluz vineyard area is in Jerez (30%) and Montilla (24%), then in a smaller way, Huelva, Malaga and Granada. The wine sector, along with other agricultural sectors is really important to Andalucia.

In an official Bulletin of the Junta de Andalucia (BOJA,) published yesterday, requests may be submitted for the approval of plans for the restructuring and reconversion of vineyards for 2013/14 and support will be available. After the recent great grubbing up of vines in Jerez, already it is clear they went too far.

The harvest 2013 is all but over. Only a few small coastal vineyards have yet to pick as their grapes are not yet quite ripe enough. It has been a successful harvest, slightly ahead of predictions, with over 80 million kilos already pressed. Both quality and quantity, what every wine maker dreams of, have been achieved. The average must weight (sugar content of the grapes) is 11.24.      

The XIII Mundus Vini International Wine Awards, a prestigious event held in Neustadt, Germany, was able to count on a masterclass from Beltran Domecq, president of the Consejo Regulador, for 40 wine professionals at the end of last month. Six Sherries were tasted and then matched very successfully with food. The awards, which are organised by German publisher Meininger, are recognised by both the OIV (International Office Of Wine) and the UIOE (International Union of Oenologists).         

24.8.13 Sanlucar Harvest Underway

The Sherry harvest has begun in Sanlucar with Barbadillo starting to pick 3 million kilos of excellent quality from their 350 hectares of vineyard at Santa Lucia and Gibalbin. They also have contracted suppliers in Sanlucar and Jerez vineyards. Some grapes – 150,000 kilos – were harvested last week for the Pie de Cuba, or starter fermentations, and, of course for their table wine Castillo de San Diego. 11 million kilos are expected in Sanlucar.

20.8.13 Latest on Harvest

The recent August heatwave, following a slightly cooler than normal July, has moved the harvest forward by a week or so. Picking is under way in the inland vineyards, while those nearer the coast have not quite reached full ripeness. Gonzalez Byass began yesterday in the 500 hectares of vineyards they own in Carrascal, Burujena and Macharnudo, along with 400 hectares of contracted vineyard. Other big players such as Estevez and Beam will start in the next few hours, while the committees of the cooperatives Las Angustias in Jerez and Palomares y Albariza in Trebujena  - among many others - will decide shortly. The harvest for table wines – Vinos de la Tierra de Cadiz – is nearly finished, and a few more forward vineyards have already been picked for the “pie de cuba” (starter fermentations) for Sherry. The grapes are currently in a very good state of health.

(Diario Jerez)

The inland vineyards are registering about 12 degrees Beaume, and are thus ready to pick, but the coastal vineyards are still only registering about 10 degrees (10.5 is the minimum required by the Consejo). An average yield increase of 30% is predicted, or 60 million kilos as compared with last year’s 47 million, the smallest in recent memory due to a prolonged drought. Different zones will have different results, and Trebujena is expected to have a much better yield than last year’s extremely small one albeit with signs of raisining in some grapes due to the heat, even though the grapes are not fully ripe. At least the hot, drying Levante wind is not active.

Meanwhile, the Consejo says that close to 70% of the grapes will be picked by machine, and this percentage is growing. But while this means fewer temporary jobs, the harvest can be collected much quicker – at night if necessary - and at half the cost. The grapes will arrive cooler at the bodegas, limiting oxidation and premature fermentation. This year there are 30 bodegas de elaboracion (press houses), 17 in Jerez, 4 in Sanlucar, 3 in Chipiona, 2 in Chiclana, 2 in Trebujena and 1 each in Puerto de Santa Maria and Rota. Only two, both in Jerez, have begun operations so far.

9.8.13 Consejo Agreement with Cadiz University; Harvest; GB Buys US Distributor

An important agreement has been signed between the Consejo Regulador, The University of Cadiz (UCA) and the Andalusian Industrial Heritage Foundation (FUPIA) to collaborate in the development of training and educational activities, aimed at raising awareness of the viticultural heritage of Jerez. The agreement complements others with a similar aim, which have been developed by UCA, either through the Andalusian Centre of Viticultural Research (CAIV) or through the development of specific courses such as the degree in oenology (the only one in Andalucia,) and the Master’s Degree in Viticultural Practices in Warm Climates.

As a long-established industry, wine making in Jerez has a unique heritage which should be preserved and promoted through training, educational, touristic and investigative activities. Consejo president, Beltran Domecq, was delighted with the agreement as it covers the entire Sherry process.

(Imagen CRDO)

 The harvesting machines are being fired up already in the Gibalbin area near Arcos. Some inland vineyard areas are a week ahead of the coastal areas in terms of ripeness, and need to be picked now. If the weather stays as it is, the Sherry harvest as a whole will probably start around the 20^th, when the sugar levels should reach the required 10.5 Beaume. That said, the harvest for other types of wine is already underway. Many bodegas also make table wine, for which the grapes need to be picked earlier.

In the lagares (vineyard winemaking facilities), the “pie de cuba” (starter fermentations) are being prepared, so that when the main crop comes in it will ferment without complications. This year the weather has been much better than last year, when extended drought drastically reduced the crop. This year rainfall has been good – 650-800 litres/square metre, and the harvest yield should be normal.

(Imagen Diario Jerez)

 Gonzalez Byass has bought a distributor in the United States. Vin Divino deals with wines from Chile, Italy and Austria, to which will now be added wines from Spain. The US is the world’s largest wine market in terms of both quantity and value, and has seen a 30% increase in sales of Sherry, and is the 5^th largest importer of it. GB will also be selling its other wines from Somontano, Rioja, Castilla, Cadiz and Penedes.