The Denomination of Origin Regulatory Council for speciality bagged grapes from Vinalopo in Spain has estimated that this season’s crop is likely to be down on 2006 levels.
According to the body’s president, José Bernabeu, production is expected to reach 35,000 tonnes, about eight per cent less than last season.
Bernabeu said that quality was looking good.
“We have not had too much heat this summer and April rainfall was favourable,” he said. “This has undoubtedly helped achieve good fruit quality.”
Volumes are down largely due to “less growth”, Bernabeu added, saying that this was not really attributable to any one external factor.
However, the president did say that drought conditions in the Valencia region, where the grape is grown, are cause for concern.
The drought has led to over-exploitation of acquifers in the area, to the extent that water levels are extremely low.
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