After a record year in terms
of production and quality, the harvest goes back to normality with a 15%
reduction in production but with an excellent fruit quality.
The D.O. Valdeorras appellation will
be the first to start the 2012 vintage, being expected this to begin over next
weekend.
According to one of the technicians
of the Regulatory Council of the D.O. Valdeorras appellation, Santiago Pérez,
"despite the fact that the germination occurs first on the coast because
of the temperatures and the type of vine, it is common that Valdeorras collects
the fruit in advanced since the ripening is favored in this area due to its
continental climate, with a greater number of sunshine hours in the summer and
heat peaks higher”.
Not much later, with the starting of
the second fortnight, Rias Baixas and Ribeira Sacra appellations will begin
with their harvests, while Monterrei will start between the 15th and
20th. Ribeiro will postpone the picking until the 25th or
so.
Although harvest dates are postponed
comparing with the previous year, Santiago Pérez states that "this year is
within the normality”, especially if we have a look to the average of the last
decade. The slight delay from last year is due to the fact that temperatures of
spring, when it begins the active cycle of the plant, were lower than usual,
especially at night.
In this regard, the plant slowed its
biological processes, a fact that is considered good for the quality of the
grapes since these ripen slowly and can improve its quality rapidly.
Another key factor for the harvest
is the autumn rains, as the weather plays an important role when the picking
season arrives.
The forecast for the days coming
indicates the arrival of an anticyclone with easterly winds. This means that
the weather will be warm and free of humidity, a fact that would be very
beneficial in all aspects, since it is at this time when the grape quality is
determined, depending on the concentration of sugars, acidity reduction and
other factors.
In this way, technician of
the D.O. Valdeorras appellation, Santiago Pérez, notes that "the level of
alcohol is already being reached in this appellation".
As for the amount collected,
according to data from Valdeorras on Europa press, a decline of 15% in
production is expected this year, which means that about 6.5 million kilograms
of grapes would be picked during the season.
The largest drop within the Galician
appellations is the one intended by the Regulatory Council of the Rias Baixas,
which estimates that the reduction will be "nearly of the 50 percent"
with respect to the previous one.
Also Ribeiro appellation estimates
that its production will be "lower" than last year, with a decline of
37%.
The expectations for the Ribeira
Sacra are similar, warning that there will be a decrease of 30%.
Meanwhile, Monterrei expects a
setback of 10%, which would mean a harvest of about 2 million Kilograms.
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