The vintage this year progress is made between seven and ten days throughout Catalonia and production is estimated to be will reduce 15% on average because of the drought, according to the Institut Català de la Vinya i el Vi (INCAVI). However, a “healthy and quality” harvest is expected.
The output of clusters has been between 4% and 33% lower to the 2021 campaign, more reduced in the Macabeo variety. In Penedès and DO Cava, the harvest is moving forward for sparkling wines and early variety wines. There are plots that have been harvested July 27th (6-9 days rather than 2021), but the entry of grapes is will generalize the week of August 8. A vintage is expected 15-20% lower than 2021 and about 25% less than in a normal year.
In Costers del Segre, the drought has affected the entire territory and one is expected 10% harvest reduction to dry areas. In those of irrigation, a normal campaign is foreseen. The first varieties to be harvested were Chardonnay in Raimat on July 29, and Sauvignon Blanco and Tempranillo are expected to be harvested in Pallars in the second half of August, and Viognier and Syrah in Les Garrigues in early September.
DO Alella and DO Conca de Barberà will advance at the end of August
The harvest that began in many appellations of origin at the beginning of September It is expected to be released at the end of August.. Some examples are the DO Alellawhere some early varieties will begin to be harvested earlier than usual, but most wineries plan to harvest between the end of August and the beginning of September.
The DO Conca de Barbera He also believes that the start of the harvest will advance to the end of August and will be generalized in September. And the DO Pla de Bages he foresaw an advance in the vegetative cycle, but, as it is a late area and due to the hot and dry conditions, the optimal time for harvesting the earliest varieties is still uncertain.
According to the data, the DO Pla de Bages believes that they will have a low number of bunches and a reduction of the harvest.
The DO Empordà, between 4 and 7 days before and lower volume
In the Empordà, the forecast is that start 4-7 days earlier than usual due to the intense heat and the lack of water. These factors also provide for a volume of harvest lower than last year and the average of the last years.
In somewhat more humid areas, the vegetation of the vineyards has been better maintained. The DO Tarragona expects an irregular harvest with a slight decrease in some varieties, and, in others, such as Garnachas and Cariñena, good and similar to average. The start of the harvest is expected a week before normal.
The DO Terra Alta, with a good harvest forecast
On the other hand, the DO Terra Alta It has a good harvest forecast and it is the area with the least problems due to the lack of water for the vineyards. In some specific vineyards, production will be reduced by a hail storm on July 6.
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In the case of DO Montsant, it is still a bit early to make a harvest forecast, but it also anticipates an advance of about 5 days compared to last year. For now, the heat waves of June and July have passed without observe the damage they suffered in the summer of 2019.
Finally, the DOQ Priorat also expects to advance the harvest.