Vineyard near Sajazarra, La Rioja, Spain.

Vineyard near Sajazarra, La Rioja, Spain.
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What can we expect from the 2022 vintage in Spain?

The historically early harvest is characteristic of the 2022 vintage in Spain.

Spain is known for hot summers – but 2022 beat all records. The month of July showed the highest average temperature ever measured since records began in 1961: at 26.6°C, this was around 2.7 degrees more than in an average year. July was not only hot in Spain, but also the driest month in the past 15 years. Logically, this also had drastic consequences for the vines. In various regions, the harvest began historically early. In parts of Catalonia, the harvesting teams started on 27th July, in the Sherry region on 28th July and in the northern D.O. of Rueda on 27th July. Legendary Tempranillo regions such as Rioja or Ribera del Duero also reported an extremely early start to the harvest as well as problems with drought stress and the associated grape quality.

Surprising news from the Toro region, which is also dominated by Tempranillo. Lucas Löwi, director of the LVMH-owned Bodega Numanthia, reported good yields and outstanding quality in the old vineyards planted with bare-root vines after the harvest. The results of the 2022 harvest were therefore anything but homogeneous, as the statistics also prove. About 9.1 per cent less than the previous year was harvested nationwide, and compared to the five-year average, the harvest was even 13.1 per cent lower. Catalonia and Andalusia were among the biggest losers, with a drop of almost 20 per cent, while Extremadura and Navarra were among the winners, increasing their harvests by around 15 per cent compared to the previous year.

Various Spanish producers throughout the country announced after the harvest that the quantities were limited, but the quality was quite satisfactory. With good vineyard management and the right harvest time, excessive alcohol levels were largely avoided. The young wines from regions like Rioja or Ribera del Duero do not lack freshness. In general, the Spanish wine world seems to be adapting to the changed growing conditions. In addition to the old vines, which seem to cope better with the heat, a lot is also being invested in research; for example, later-ripening varieties and clones are being identified and planted in greater numbers.

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