-
-
-
Blog
-
Support
-
High temperatures may alter the flavor of wine
Release time:
2024-08-08
A winemaker told Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday that the high temperatures experienced
A winemaker told Xinhua News Agency on Tuesday that the high temperatures experienced by Spanish vineyards this year may lead to economic losses, early harvest, and even changes in wine flavor.
According to data from the Spanish Meteorological Agency, Spain experienced its hottest July on record, while May to July was the driest period on record.
Roberto Ijalba, a winemaker from Bodega Santalba in the Rioja wine region, said, "Spanish vineyards are suffering more than usual. Although vineyards can withstand high temperatures, everything has its limits
He explained that not all wine producing regions have the same problem, as traditional arid areas are more accustomed to extreme heat. High temperatures also have benefits as they can reduce energy costs and the need for insect or mold prevention treatments. On the other hand, extreme high temperatures can lead to water scarcity, which can affect fruit development. If grapevines lose too many leaves, some fruits will be destroyed.
Ijalba believes that this year's wine production will decrease because the smaller the grapes, the less grape juice there will be. If these extreme conditions persist, the taste of the wine will become sweeter and the alcohol content will be higher.
Climate can also affect the alcohol content in wine. The hotter the weather, the higher the alcohol content in wine, so we need to take some technical measures to maintain the alcohol content, "he explained.
Due to the hot weather, grape harvest in many parts of Spain is two to three weeks earlier than usual. In Rioja, the harvest in 2015 was the earliest recorded harvest in the region. Usually, the harvest in this region reaches its peak around mid October each year.
