After more than two months of work, the 2017 harvest campaign can be concluded in the Denomination of Origin Valdepeñas. With a harvest of 93,4 million kilos of grapes from the approximately 22.000 hectares of vineyards. All destined to the elaboration of wines with DO Some vineyards with maximum yields of 6.000 kilos per hectare in red varieties of 7.500 kilos per hectare in white varieties.
More than 2.500 farmers have collected their grapes in perfect sanitary condition and in excellent quality conditions. As a novelty, this year the winegrowers have made their production declarations by plot instead of by exploitation. This is a measure that improves traceability of the product as regards guarantee of origin.
In addition, it is worth noting the good reception by the winegrowers to the inspections carried out by the technicians of the DO These have detected very few disqualifications of parcels and they have confirmed the commitment to quality. A commitment from all agents from the vine to the glass.
Varieties in Valdepeñas
Of the total amount of grapes harvested in the DO Valdepeñas this year, 38 million kilos correspond to grapes of authorized white varieties. They are small grain muscat, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, macabeo, green and airén.
On the other hand, 55,4 million kilos are red grapes of the petit verdot, garnacha, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, syrah and mainly tempranillo varieties.
Compared to the previous year's campaign, the harvest of grapes with DO Valdepeñas in 2017 it was lower by 5,7 million kilos. This represents a total decrease of just over 5%, the most significant decrease being in the white varieties.
By populations, approximately 50% of the harvest has been concentrated in the term of Valdepeñas. The rest among the nine neighboring towns whose territory totally or partially forms the production area of this Denomination.
This year's climatology in the territory covered by the DO Valdepeñas it has been characterized by high temperatures. As well as the lack of rainfall. Besides, the flowering in spring it was slightly earlier. All these factors have caused the start of the campaign to be brought forward until the beginning of August. The result is a good quality raw material.
