Let the (red) harvest begin!

More news of early harvests in Vintage 2011 – precocious? and on the forum.

I have never heard of a winery harvesting red grapes in Spain in July. Until recently, starting in August was considered exceptional in many regions but it seems to be quite frequent now.

2011 might be the earliest year ever: a little after 7.30 am on the morning of 28 July 2011 the first bunches of Merlot were picked. This happened at Finca Perales de Valdueza, which belongs to the Marqués de Valdueza, a family winery close to the roman city of Mérida (Badajoz), in...