2004 Spanish grape harvest – early reports

I have already published some first indications of the 2004 grape harvest in France but here's a start on Spain whose 2004 vintage certainly sounds eventful, and frighteningly copious. The provisional estimate of the total size of the crop is between 46.5 and 47 million hectoliters – about a third more than the late 1990s average even if in line with 2003's 47.3 million hl.

Madrid-based wine writer Victor de la Serna, recently turned vignerons in Manchuela south east of Madrid with his Finca Sandoval sent the following report of his own experiences of 2004:

'The harvest was 'interesting' in...