As the Port producing region of the Douro has just begun grape harvesting, producers are expecting dramatically reduced yields this vintage due to the impact of extreme heat and drought conditions that have characterised 2022.
This year’s rainfall is more than 70% lower than the 30-year average and follows on from three years of below-average rainfall. Producers in the region are becoming increasingly concerned about this series of drier years. They are most worried about their younger vines as they are more susceptible to drought and hydric stress as the roots don’t reach as far down into the ground as those of older, established vines.
Less rainfall means reduced grape yields which in turn means higher production costs for winemakers at a time where there are other inflationary pressures at play.
Another factor that has exacerbated the lack of rain is the combination of heat and wind. CEO at Taylor Fladgate, Adrian Bridge, commented that ‘the wind normally picks up at 6pm, but at 2pm it has been whistling up the (Douro) valley – having a hairdrier effect on the vines, so the grapes are shrinking’. He added that this has contributed to the grapes having very thick skins this year and a lot more grapes will be required to make the same quantity of Port.
‘I believe that this is going to be one of the lowest yielding harvests ever in the Douro,’ commented former chairman of Symington Family Estates, Paul Symington
However, while producers will have to wait over the coming weeks to see just how much wine it will be possible to make, there’s a sense of optimism among the Douro winemakers that this year’s vintage will turn out to be a small but exceptional one.
Christian Seely, managing director at Quinta do Noval, commented that: ‘The occasional hot dry year is not a disaster and can produce remarkable, memorable wines: ‘45 and ‘17 had that sort of profile and both of them produced some of the most remarkable vintage Ports ever produced – and in 2017, remarkable red wines too, to my surprise’.