September, the best month for wine lovers!
September, the best month for wine lovers! How can we talk about wine at this time of the year, without mentioning the beautiful harvest season? Especially because this stage, which is particularly decisive in the wine-making process, goes together with traditions and festivities. Here is a quick technical and cultural overview:
To harvest, but when and how? The time of the harvest of the grapes intended for the production of the wine depends on each region. The many factors are the climatic conditions, the exposure, the altitude, the type of grape, but also the style of wine desired (sugar and acidity levels, colour, aromas, etc.). Exposure to the south, and/or higher altitude allows an earlier maturation, and white grape varieties generally mature before reds, for example. In Spain, this period extends between August and October.
At the time of the harvest, two methods are possible: manual or mechanical. The first produces higher quality wines, which are also more expensive to produce. It is the timeless image of the pickers in the vines, shears in hand and hood on the back. In the case of mechanical harvesting, faster and more economical, machinery spans the vines that must be planted at sufficient distances and height. In any case you should avoid the hottest hours of the day and some harvests are done in the cool of the night (we invite you to follow this with your own eyes, the experience is absolutely magical !). For more technical and historical information, don’t miss the Vivanco Museum in La Rioja.
During this month of September, indeed the grape is agriculture and economy but also folklore and local traditions. Even if this year 2020 gives a bitter taste to these celebrations that cannot be celebrated, take note because we promise you unforgettable experiences for next year, in the region of your choice.
Among the most famous are those of Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia, around September 10, and the Fiestas de San Mateo in Logroño, capital of La Rioja, around September 21 and whose origins date back to the twelfth century. The region of Ribera del Duero is not to be outdone with the festivities of Aranda de Duero and the neighboring village of Sotillo de la Ribera. Not far, the towns of Rueda and Toro also have nice surprises in store for you, in October. And we don’t want to miss the Rías Baixas nor the Penedes, especially since in October, Sant Sadurní celebrates the Week of Cava.
In addition to the traditional grape crushing and the essential and awaited tastings, these events are an opportunity to share large popular meals, to follow gastronomic competitions, dances and concerts, parades, bullfighting festivities and religious acts.
Especially for this time, most of the members of Spain Through Its Wineries want to mark the occasion with activities designed around the harvest, days and nights! Do not hesitate to contact us for personalized advice and to organize an unforgettable experience in one of our 9 wine regions.
