As we kick off the 2011 vintage for the first time ever in the month of August, we are busy counting the walking wounded…. We have at least four member of our team with injuries of varying degrees, including one actually on crutches! I suggested this morning that we should set up a physiotherapy unit in the grape reception. (Of course the main source of exercise would be emptying cases of grapes into the presses).

On a slightly more serious note, we have started picking on a clear, sunny day albeit that the temperature is only in the low 20’s (around 70°F) – pleasant enough, but not really as high as we would anticipate in August. Indeed, that is pretty much the tale of the last two months; no real heat worth speaking of.

It’s very early days, but we will have to see how this low temperature will affect the finished wines. I am pretty certain from what we have seen so far that the alcoholic degree will be lower, perhaps around 11.5%. Although this might seem quite low, to be honest it is probably more in keeping with a traditional albariño. It is only in very recent years that we have experienced alcohol as high as 12,5%.

Anyway, let us not pre-judge, it is only the first day, let’s wait and see what the next week or so will deliver.

As we kick off the 2011 vintage for the first time ever in the month of August, we are busy counting the walking wounded…. We have at least four member of our team with injuries of varying degrees, including one actually on crutches! I suggested this morning that we should set up a physiotherapy unit in the grape reception. (Of course the main source of exercise would be emptying cases of grapes into the presses).

On a slightly more serious note, we have started picking on a clear, sunny day albeit that the temperature is only in the low 20’s (around 70°F) – pleasant enough, but not really as high as we would anticipate in August. Indeed, that is pretty much the tale of the last two months; no real heat worth speaking of.

It’s very early days, but we will have to see how this low temperature will affect the finished wines. I am pretty certain from what we have seen so far that the alcoholic degree will be lower, perhaps around 11.5%. Although this might seem quite low, to be honest it is probably more in keeping with a traditional albariño. It is only in very recent years that we have experienced alcohol as high as 12,5%.

Anyway, let us not pre-judge, it is only the first day, let’s wait and see what the next week or so will deliver.