The vintage of the D.O. Navarra is a week early and an increase in the harvest of more than 17% is estimated

PAMPLONA, 18 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The start of the harvest in the Navarra Denomination of Origin has done so "marking a milestone in the records due to its precocity" by being a week ahead of a usual campaign.

It is estimated that around 68 million kilos of grapes will be harvested, which represents an increase of more than 17% compared to the harvest obtained in 2021, according to forecasts made by the Viticulture and Oenology section of the Government of Navarra ( EVENA). The increase is led by the Garnacha that "returns to its usual production".

"This harvest is the earliest in history due to the persistent drought and the chain of heat waves that have marked very high maximum and minimum temperatures on the thermometer since the end of spring and the beginning of summer to date", explained in a note the Regulatory Council of the D.O. Navarre.

On the other hand, the scarcity of water has meant that the grapes "are in good condition because they have hardly been affected by atmospheric conditions that could trigger a disease."

"We are being forced to bring forward the harvest. Thanks to the know-how of the wineries and viticulturists, the grapes are harvested at their optimal moment and in an optimal state for the production of a great vintage of wines", affirms the president of the Regulatory Council of the Designation of Origin Navarra, David Palacios.

The vegetative cycle of the vine in this campaign has been marked by a winter with "mild temperatures and very dry, with very little rainfall". With this drought spring began and with cold. A situation that changes from the month of May in which the first heat wave occurs. "This unusual thermal increase has accompanied the vineyard throughout the grapes' ripening period," they indicate from the Regulatory Council.

The towns located in the Ribera Alta and Baja are the ones that have started the harvest with the white grape varieties: Chardonnay and Moscatel de Grano Menudo. From now on, 85 wineries and around 2,000 winegrowers will harvest the grapes from the 10,000 hectares that make up the Denomination's wine map.

Due to the characteristics of Navarra, among others, the marked differences in climatic conditions between the five zones that make it up: Ribera Alta, Ribera Baja, Baja Montaña, Valdizarbe and Tierra Estella, the harvest is staggered and will take place until it is completed during the two next months.

The grape varieties that are being harvested and with which the new Navarra wines will be made are as follows; the whites: Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Viura, Malvasía and Sauvignon Blanc and the reds: Garnacha, Tempranillo, Graciano, Mazuelo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir.