Alella wineries begin a grape harvest of “exceptional” quality and comparable to 2005

Barcelona (ACN). – The wineries of Alella, a Catalan wine appellation (DO) located near Barcelona, have started to harvest the first grapes of this year. According to experts, as long as weather conditions do not change suddenly, this could be an “exceptional and wonderful” vintage. Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets, an oenologist from the Alta Alella winery predicts that the wine quality “may be comparable to 2005”, thanks to the absence of disease and the grapes’ state of maturity, following very favourable weather this year. “It rained at the right times and the vines could grow and flower well”, he explained. For now, the only concern is the amount of heat this August, which could cause a drop in acidity.

“That’s the interesting thing about wine, it’s the variability that does not depend on our work and that gives us the differences between one year and another”. Pujol-Busquets is aware that the outcome of the harvest is not totally in his hands, but weather conditions have been favourable this year for the Alella DO, located in the northern part of Greater Barcelona.

Therefore it may be the best vintage of the last seven years, according to the winemaker. The only factors that may be a problem are excessive heat this August or rain in September.  Regarding the current temperatures, Pujol-Busquets explains that it may lower the acidity of the grapes, “We can water the plants to reduce the effects, but this isn’t very convenient”.

As has been customary for some years, the Alta Alella Privat winery starts the harvest early. They have started to gather the ‘Pinot Noir’, a black grape variety that is harvested early to prevent it from getting too dark, as it can then be used to make cava. “It gives a very thin and fresh bubble, with good acidity”, explained the winemaker.

In the coming days they will also harvest the ‘Sauvignon’, to avoid too much sun, and then the 'Chardonnay' and the ‘Xarel·lo’.