THE WINE HARVEST

The harvest is underway. The moment when everything begins. The amount of work in the vineyard and winery is enormous. Maximum responsibility is in order. But what factors other than external influences—such as bad weather or pests—determine a good harvest?

First of all, it is important to differentiate between simple physiological ripeness (when the seeds are ready to germinate) and the kind that interests us, when sugars concentrate in the berries. In this case, grapes are picked based on the fruit's final purpose: young wines, Reserva wines, Gran Reserva wines, etc.

Picking the right moment is key

The first challenge the technical team faces is when to harvest. Making this decision involves various observations and analyses of different grape maturity parameters such assugar, must density oracidity levels.

Multiple parameters inform the decision of when to start the harvest, and they go beyond the needs of individual varieties. We're talking about a combination of traditional and scientific knowledge, and above all experience and intuition.

However, it is the plant itself that tells us when its fruit is ready to be picked.

The perfect grape would be as follows: we observe how the cluster becomes less rigid, how the skin separates cleanly from the pulp, how the stem begins to lignify. Acidity levels remain steady, and sugar levels continue to rise as the fruit ripens. In addition, the color of the berries, their consistency and sweet flavor, are other obvious indicators of ripeness.

Own harvest and grape purchase. A happy coexistence

To ensure sufficient quality and production, wineries must work with local grape suppliers. Much more than a mere financial transaction, a deep and even intergenerational relationship is established, which allows for the needs and quality standards established by the winery to be established.

The payment of a fair price for grapes stimulates the economy and boosts the sector, serving as an economic motor in wine-producing regions.

Thus, the harvest becomes a kind of common task. Strengthening ties between the winery and its natural and social environment.