El Niño sees Argentine harvest drop 25%

Argentina’s grape harvest dropped 25% by volume in 2016 in what was described as a “very different” but “very good” year, with delayed maturity resulting in fresher wines with less alcohol.

Vineyards in Cafayate – Argentina saw 2016 harvest volumes drop by 25% on 2015, with El Niño contributing to wines of lower alcohol and higher acidity

As with neighbouring Chile, this year’s harvest was characterised by El Niño – an abnormal climate pattern caused by the warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which affects sprouting, flowering and subsequently the fruit set of bunches.

“In general the whole spring-summer was affected by El Niño, characterised by a colder than normal spring (-1.5°C) with abundant rainfall and cloudy days during and towards the end of the summer”, summarised Roberto Gonzalez of Bodega Nieto Senetiner in Mendoza.

Overall, Argentina saw a 25% drop compared with 2015 volumes and a 34.45% drop on average volumes over the past 10 years, confirmed by Wines of Argentina’s (WofA) 2016 Harvest report. This compared to 2,407 million kg in 2015, and a ten year average of 2,659 million kg.

Of the 1,744 million kg harvested in 2016, Mendoza accounted for 58.8%, San Juan 34.27%, Las Rioja 4.19%, Nequén and Rio negro 1.07% and Catamarca 0.17%.

The biggest drops in volume were seen in Mendoza (39.22%), Salta (35.39%) and Catamarca (60%), compared with 2015.

Lower yields, however, have not resulted in a decrease in quality – quite the opposite – according to WofA and winemakers from across all of the the country’s wine regions.

“2016 was a different year with delayed maturity and fewer grapes, which resulted in wines of greater quality, with more freshness, less alcohol, excellent acidity and remarkable varietal aromas,” the report noted.

This was attributed to a cooler spring with a delay in bud break, rains during flowering and overcast days that decreased during the harvest period.

“The red wines are outstanding with high levels of colour due possibly to the natural thinning caused by drizzles at the time of flowering and moderate temperatures during the ripening process that favoured the synthesis of anthocyanins,” the report added.

Daniel Pi, winemaker at Trapiche, summarised 2016 as a “memorable harvest” that was affected by the El Niño phenomenon and which resulted in white and red wines of lower alcohol content and higher total acidity.

“I believe this vintage has proved that the phenomena of global climate change has, in some way, affected the typology of our wines, but thanks to the great work of technicians both in the vineyards and cellar, these effects have had a positive impact”, concluded Pi. “We obtained wines that were somewhat different; fruitier and less heavy, sweeter with good acidity and freshness which makes them easy to drink. Also very good colour and concentration. It will be a harvest to remember!”

Click through for comments on Argentina’s 2016 harvest by region…

Cafayate, Salta

Pablo Etchart of Bodega Etchart in Cafayate

“The 2015 winter was a warm one with few frosts but Zonda winds towards the end of winter and early spring. The pruning was normal. Budding was early (beginning of September) because of the warm winter.

“There was a late frost on 12 and 13 October, which generated significant losses in volume. There are producers who suffered losses of 90% and others who lost only 20%, with an average loss of 40% in the Valle de Cafayate.

“The rainfall was slightly lower than usual, which ensured healthy vineyards. The harvest began with white grapes in mid-February 2016 and culminated with the red varieties in late April (except the late harvest wines).

“Given the above characteristics, the wines of 2016 are wines with lots of colour, high concentration and alcohol with very good fruit and ripe tannins.”

Rioja and Catamarca

Roberto Gonzalez, winemaker, Bodega Nieto Senetiner

“The initial concerns of rain did not affect the quality of the grapes too much. There was lower final maturity, but the fineness of the aromatic notes in white wines was noticeable: Torrontés R, Muscat, Chenin, Chardonnay etc.

“The red wines of Bonarda and Syrah completed their maturity, although with lower levels of alcohol. They are characterised by fresh aromatic notes, from the family of red fruit and floral acids. In the mouth, notable acidity without being highly concentrated or too powerful.”

San Juan

Gerardo Danitz, winemaker and consultant

“The cold during the winter of 2015, although not abundant, was enough to avoid problems in the bud. A year with marked climatic conditions which favoured diseases such as oidium, downy mildew and botrytis. However, no decreases in production were recorded because of these diseases.

“Budding was good to very good at above 85%, with significant vegetative growth thanks to the abundance of water and few extreme temperatures. A significant delay of more than 20 days unlike other years, this delay resulted in a lower sugar content.

“It is important to note that the conditions this year favoured the lower production of glucose in plants, generating less concentration of polyphenols and fewer total sugars, giving wines with good acidity and lower pH levels (much more AcMalic than other years), with no major corrections to the acidity before the alcoholic fermentation. But if corrections had to be made to those wines, they would be subjected to malolactic fermentation and that would be with high pH and low acidity at the end.”

Mendoza

Daniel Pi, winemaker, Trapiche

“The white wines have a character of fresh fruit, pleasant acidity, minerality and balanced alcohol content that will surely surprise consumers for its ageing potential and linear structure, highlighting the traditional varieties: Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.

“As for the reds, in addition to less alcohol and more acidity, we highlight the balance of alcohol and phenolic maturity, as well as the high concentration of colour, with vivid tones and aromas of fresh fruit.

“I particularly noticed the behaviour of Cabernet Sauvignon and Franc that highlighted the character of minerality and elevated concentration of colour, fruit and spices, both in the first zone and in the middle areas of the Uco Valley. In the case of Malbec, particularly in the highlands of Tupungato and San Carlos, as well as San Rafael, intense red colour, good acidity, linear, exquisite tannic balance and great potential.”

Uco Valley (Mendoza)

Wines of Argentina 2016 Harvest Report

“In the Valle de Uco lower production was also noted, with wines of very good pH levels (no need for corrections of tartaric acid), colour intensity and concentration that usually accompanies lower yields in the vineyard. In general very good wines with purplish-blue and bright hues. Floral and red fruit notes stood out this year, with excellent Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Patagonia (Neuquén, Rio Negro and La Pampa)

Ramiro Guiroy, of Familia Schroeder

“During the 2015 winter, temperatures brought the necessary cold for the vines to properly fulfil their winter break. During September near average temperatures were recorded at 13 degrees Celsius which increased gradually in October to 16 which caused a delay of about 15 days to the normal phenology of the vineyards in the area. Sprouting was very even with a percentage close to 85%.

“Starting with this delay, November and December arrived with average temperatures around 22 and 24 degrees respectively, which helped the vineyards to have excellent flowering and a good fruit set. The near absence of rain (15 mm) from September to December accompanied by the constant wind typical of the region led to excellent health in all varieties.

“The maturation stage arrived in January, along with the 15 days of phenological delay. With average temperatures similar to December and with no precipitation we obtained even ripening in all varieties. During February, March and April the weather made for a quiet harvest with no setbacks or climatic hazards. With a 15 day delay the grapes had a correct maturity process, moderate temperatures helped achieve very good acidity in the musts.

“The quality and health of the grapes was excellent, Malbec, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon stood out for their quality and fantastic adaptation to Patagonia.”