HARVEST 2018 IN SPAIN
GOOD FRUIT FOR EXCELLENT WINES Presented by: AXIAL VINOS
Introduction
ARAGON AND NAVARRA Spring and summer had more rainfall than usual and temperatures were lower towards the end of the maturation. The fruit was very healthy, except for some Mildew in Navarra which was controlled right away.
The harvest had to be done by plot selection as there were great differences in maturation cycle. Patience for maturation has given more concentrated fruit.
Watch video: Harvest in Aragon.
Bodem Bodegas DO Cariñena Louis and I are very excited with our first ever harvest in our newest winery. New installation and new equipment was used for the first time. We have put in place an innovative and proven method, named “ air mix” for enhancing red wine extraction and improve grape skin cap management during fermentation. This extraordinary technique works by pulsing large bubbles of compressed air near the bottom of the tank. The rising bubbles provide uniform temperature, keep yeast healthy, and efficiently wet the cap to enhance the extraction of flavor, tannins and color into the juice. This process maintains freshness, reduces bacteria formation and helps expel volatile sulfur compounds. Air mix breaks up the cap into individual berries and circulates them in the juice, which makes it easier and more efficient to manage the cap.
Pagos del Moncayo DO Campo de Borja Due to the great weight of the bunches this harvest our Garnacha grapes were collected in two times in our vineyard “La Marga”. The first recollection took place in September as we harvested the grapes for Fusion and mid-October we harvested the more mature grapes for Garnacha Colección. We look forward to share the results.
Watch video: Sustainable wine
La Casa de Lúculo DO Navarra This year for the first time we have hand harvested 50% of our fruit. Furthermore 10.000 kilos old vine Garnacha from our vineyard "Santa Eufemia" have been collected in 25 kg cases for our single vineyard wine Lúculo Origen.
As for our Lúculo Garnacha Blanca we are excited to see the results of the partial barrel fermentation.
Watch video: Women winemakers
Bodegas Vallobera DOCa Rioja In Rioja new vineyards owned by the San Pedro family came into maturation ready to use for our Vallobera Crianza. “San Pedro” 4 hectares and “Carabal Seca” 3,5 hectares (neighbour of the famous vineyard “El Pison” of Artadi)
Lagar de Proventus DO Ribera de Duero In Ribera del Duero 2018 has been the first vintage were we monitored the climate, the status of the soil, and the humidity in the vineyard with a network of weather stations and sensors for our vineyards. These sensors have permitted us to monitor the vineyards with precise criteria to prevent and monitor possible pests. Now we can compare the vintages and the progress of the maturation not only using the analysis of the grape, but also the climatological circumstances.
As grapes had a healthy year but have also grown in weight and size this vintage for the first time we have selected and classified all grape bunches of higher quality, not only according to health but also weight and size with the aim to elaborate only the best fruit. Which allowed us to disregard these bigger grapes, using other vintages average size as a reference.