The Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin Ribera del Duero closes the 2019 harvest, which took place from September 12 until the end of October with a total of 96 million kilograms of grapes collected in excellent condition and quality, after the 125 million they were harvested in 2018, being the second largest harvest in its history last year just behind the 133 million kilos that were collected in 2016.
For the first time, whites covered by the DO are included
Among them, 600,000 kilos collected have been from the Albillo Grape, a milestone in the life of this wine region, known worldwide for the quality of its reds and rosés. Thus, for the first time in its 37 years of history there will be white wines protected by the DO Ribera del Duero. The recent modification of the specifications of the regulation of the DO has allowed the wineries of the DO to produce wines with at least 75% of the main albillo, native grape from the Ribera del Duero, whose cultivation dates back to the Middle Ages, and which until now was used to complement the elaboration of the other types of protected wines.
A total of 8,300 winemakers and 300 wineries have participated in the harvest of the 23,371 hectares registered in the Denomination of Origin. Around 80% of the grapes have been harvested by hand, making an exhaustive selection of bunches. This year’s harvest has left an excellent quality grape production, both for young and aging wines.
The amount of the crop has been less than usual, especially due to the small size and therefore weight of the berries. However, the quality of the grapes has been very high as a result of the incidence of this size in the surface / volume ratio of the berry and also due to the climatic conditions of ripening that have allowed a perfect ripening. Thus, it is a vintage marked by the production of wines very well dressed with a deep color.
In short, fresh and elegant wines with a very expressive nose and great balance in the mouth, especially highlighting the velvety of its tannins. The good preparation and impeccable care and maintenance of the vineyard by the winemakers of the Denomination of Origin has been key to preventing possible pests and diseases
