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In the DO Montilla Moriles in the interior of Andalusia, northeast of Jerez, the grape harvest has begun. In Andalusia, mainly early ripening international white wine varieties such as Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc have been harvested for about a week. In general, this year's harvest did not start earlier than last year, but the beginning has been shifted forward by two to three weeks compared to the long-term average. The harvest of the red and autochthonous grape varieties, which are better adapted to high temperatures and drought, will start around mid-August, according to industry officials.
On the Canary Islands, too, the harvest date has been brought forward by 7 to 15 days, depending on the region, and even by one month compared to the average of the past ten years. Due to the pronounced climatic differences on the mountainous Canary Islands, harvesting has already been going on for a fortnight in some areas, while in others, for example the high altitudes in the north of Tenerife, harvesting is expected to begin in a fortnight.
In general, many Spanish DOs confirm to the editors that the harvest will start up to 15 days earlier than a few years ago, but not earlier than 2022. Yields will be ten to 15 percent higher than in 2022, but here, too, the trend has been downward for about ten years. The reason for this is the low rainfall in winter and spring and the high temperatures. The health of the vines is generally described as good, mildew diseases are not a big problem there according to this.
(al / source: own research)