2012 Rioja & Spain Vintage

Rioja's vineyards kept good canopy growth and health throughout the 2012 cycle. The drought that had affected the vineyards over the previous two seasons continued and curtailed production in part of the DOCa's dryland (secano) vineyards. Only 230 litres of rain fell between 1 December 2011 and flowering. Phenological development ran on normal dates compared with the average of recent years, and fertility rates, while lower than in the previous two seasons, stayed within normal values for the DOCa's varieties. Veraison came in full drought, even more marked than in 2011, and sugars and polyphenols formed early, which shaped how ripening developed. The key weather event came late: rain at the end of September had a very positive effect on ripening, giving the fruit a better final balance and raising production hopes for a large part of the vineyard. Vine health was good throughout, with oidium (powdery mildew) appearing only in isolated spots in July. The first grapes picked in the DOCa, on 21 and 24 August, came from two vineyards of the newer white varieties Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay, at Galilea and Ausejo. Total production came to 354.9 million kg of grapes at 5,710 kg/ha, one of the lowest yields per hectare of the last two decades, and well down on the 387 million kg of 2011.

• Only 230 litres of rain from 1 December 2011 to flowering; drought curtailed production in part of the dryland vineyards
• Veraison in full drought, even more marked than in 2011, with early formation of sugars and polyphenols
• Late September rain had a very positive effect on ripening and final berry balance
• First grapes picked on 21 and 24 August (Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay); 5,710 kg/ha, one of the lowest yields of the last two decades

The Consejo Regulador highlighted the professionalism of growers and wineries in planning the harvest. Ripening was uneven between plots, even within the same municipality, so picking had to be selective to get the best from each vineyard. Rioja had 62,154 hectares of productive vineyard in 2012: 58,389 hectares of red varieties, which gave 331 million kg of grapes, and 3,765 hectares of white varieties, which gave 23.8 million kg. The production finally covered by the DOCa was 351.5 million kg, after 3.4 million kg were disqualified for excess yields, with 253.84 million litres of wine made.

• Uneven ripening between plots of the same municipality required selective picking
• 354.9 million kg in total, down from 387 million kg in 2011
• Red varieties: 58,389 ha and 331 million kg; white varieties: 3,765 ha and 23.8 million kg
• 351.5 million kg finally covered by the DOCa after 3.4 million kg were disqualified for excess yields

The Consejo Regulador rated 2012 "Muy Buena" (Very Good), a rating that reflects the heterogeneous nature of the vintage: the drought hit both the volume and the quality of grapes in some vineyards, but also gave a significant quantity of wine of very high quality, in line with the two previous vintages, both rated excellent. The rating came from tasting and analysis of 253.84 million litres of wine, represented by 3,800 samples drawn from the tanks by the Consejo's technicians; only 49 samples were rejected for failing the analytical or sensory test. Most of the grapes arrived in excellent health, with a great balance between alcohol and polyphenols, and the Consejo judged the wines to have good polyphenolic structure, particularly suited to barrel ageing and long keeping. The reds at the end of the second fermentation showed 13.3 degrees alcohol, pH 3.75, a colour intensity of 11, a total polyphenol index of 62 and a colour hue of 0.45, in line with the excellent 2010 and 2011 vintages. Acidity was very moderate, leaving a fresh palate without harshness, with a purple tint to the colour.

• Rated "Muy Buena" (Very Good) by the Consejo Regulador, reflecting a heterogeneous, drought-marked vintage
• 3,800 tank samples assessed; only 49 rejected on analysis or tasting
• Reds at the end of second fermentation: 13.3 degrees alcohol, pH 3.75, colour intensity 11, total polyphenol index 62
• Good polyphenolic structure, particularly suited to barrel ageing and long keeping, in the Consejo's judgment