The provisional balance of the 2017 harvest, in the absence of cutting the last bunches on dates that other years were the peak of the harvest, places the total production at around 349 million kg of grapes. The results have been very satisfactory regarding the quality of the wines made in Rioja. For which it has been key to carry out a selective harvest throughout the entire territory of the Denomination Wine.
The amount finally collected reflects that 2017 has been a year marked mainly by very complex weather conditions. Therefore, this will be the earliest harvest in the history of Rioja. “This 2017 vintage has been the most complicated in recent years. Although surprising due to the exceptional weather that has accompanied it ”.
That affirms Paul Frank, Responsible for Control of the Regulatory Council of the Rioja Qualified Denomination of Origin.
“The rains in August helped to complete the ripening balance and therefore increased production expectations. After a cycle marked by varying degrees of frost and high summer temperatures ”.
Excellent first impressions in Rioja
First impressions of the quality of the wines made from this 2017 vintage are very optimistic. "The discoveries of the first grapes show wonderful aromas, with adequate structure, color and polyphenols", he assures franc. The good vegetative state of the vineyard and impeccable health have been essential to achieve these results.
In addition to the significant effort made by winegrowers, wineries and an operation of almost 200 technicians and vintage assistants from the Regulatory Council.
«The amount collected will be enough to maintain the balance of Rioja, key in our development »
It will be the qualification of all the wines through the analytical and tasting examination of the Regulatory Council which will allow the final quality to be accurately assessed. Ratings in general and each winery in particular.
El Plenary of the Regulatory CouncilFaced with a situation as special as that posed by the great frost of April 28, it adopted measures for the first time. They were extraordinary and adapted to the productive reality. All with the aim of providing the technical solution most in line with the general interest.
The Campaign Rules were approved by broad consensus last July based on exhaustive work by the Technical services. This involved the use of state-of-the-art computer technologies. Also an unprecedented deployment of field verifications in the Denomination Rioja since last April.
For the first time in history, the degree of frost impact on vineyards. Three levels of maximum yields were determined based on said affectation.
