Across the wine-producing regions of Spain, the grape harvest is in full swing. Winemakers are carefully planning which vineyard to pick next, studying the weather and overseeing the grape harvest as it comes off the trucks and onto the sorting table before destemming, crushing and first and second presses of grapes take place.

The grape harvest in each region starts on a different date every year. A number of factors are taken into account, including weather conditions throughout the year, since the last period of rain, for example; the type of grape; the type of wine that a winery wishes to produce, e.g, a lighter, more floral Verdejo will be made from grapes picked earlier than a rounder Verdejo; the terroir of the vines and also market demands. If it’s been a great year for the production of quality grapes, demand for fine wines will be higher, and those demands are there to be met by any commercial winemaking business!

Grapes can be picked using two methods; using machines and by hand. For some of the finer wines, or for grapes which come from old vines, the grapes tend to be picked by hand. That’s not to say that grapes picked by machine are of a lesser quality, it probably just means the vines were planted using a more strategic approach to winemaking.

Once picked and sorted the grapes are destemmed and pressed. The juice is run off into fermentation tanks where the juice ferments until alcohol is produced (a result of the chemical reaction of the yeast on the skins of the grapes) and a liquid that is starting to resemble what will ultimately become wine is produced.

Once the wine has fermented to the required level, the winemaker and management team of the winery will decide how much should be bottled, aged in casks and when the wine should be release, taking into account local rules for ageing and release.

Visit the Wines of Spain website for more information on the wines that Spain produces and to book a tour of a local winery.

Because we select holiday homes and apartments in the finest regions of Spain, we often find that these regions also produce great wines. After all, a great terroir for grapes means a great terroir for your home away from home! Whether you enjoying sipping a D.O Catalunya wine at your property in the Costa Brava or a D.O Málaga wine at dinner at your property in the Costa del Sol with friends and family. So why not have a better look at our website to find your own private property in Spain.


Sources:
Spain.info
Spainisculture.com
Foodswinesfromspain.com