Although the first bunches of grapes were harvested on August 4, the campaign of the harvest in DO Somontano, in general, on the 9th of that month. One of the earliest in its history. Today the Designation of Origin the harvest is finished. In total, with the 15.500.000 kilos of grapes collected by the 32 wineries and 370 winegrowers of Somontano.
Of the total, 68% have been red grapes, led by the Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot varieties with more than 3.000.000 of each type. Followed by Tempranillo (with more than 1.000.000), Syrah, Garnacha Tinta, Moristel, Parraleta and Pinot Noir.
The ranking of 32% of harvested white grapes is led Chardonnay (with almost 3.000.000 kilos) and Gewürztraminer (with more than 1.200.000). Behind them are Macabeo, Sauvignon Blanc, Garnacha Blanca, Riesling and Alcañón.
Harvest weather in DO Somontano
The frost registered in March affected 10% of the plots of the Somontano. The climatic conditions registered during the vegetative cycle have caused a lower weight of the bunches. They have been decisive in explaining the decrease in kilos collected, 16% less than in the 2016 harvest.
This year, the average yield was 4.444 kilos per hectare compared to 5.059 the previous year. That performance decline medium has affected, especially, the varieties inks.
Since its inception and with adequate weather conditions, the harvest in DO Somontano It has passed progressively. Picking each of the fifteen grape varieties at their optimum point of maturity. Also based on the fact that each of them has a different vegetative cycle.
Chardonnay, Merlot and Gewürztraminer, for example, are the one with the earliest maturity while others such as Cabernet-Sauvignon, Parraleta, Garnacha or Moristel they are the last to be harvested.
The good evolution of the vineyard maturation With the harvesting of its fruit at the optimum moment, the good health and quality of the grapes and the samples of the first wines made allow us to advance that the 2017 vintage will be characterized by high quality wines.
Wines whose young ranges will reach the markets in the coming months with their fruity, fresh and lively style. In that sense, the harvest in DO Somontano it is not an end point but the starting point. Vital for an exciting creative process.
A creative process in which the wineries elaborate unique wines whose reason for being is the enjoyment of millions of wine lovers. These await the arrival of the next vintage of the wines Somontano.
