2018 Rioja & Spain Vintage

2018 was a year of little weather significance at a general level, standing out for the absence of severe weather setbacks, yet marked by a continuous threat of mildew. Abundant rain through the winter and spring of 2018 left the vineyard in excellent condition for the first months of the cycle. Bud break began in the most easterly zone of the DOCa in the second half of March, about 20 days later than 2017 and 4 or 5 days behind a normal year. In the first half of July the picture turned worrying: storm fronts and hail joined the already abundant rain, and with the high temperatures usual for the time of year, conditions were ideal for mildew. In the second half of July the rain stopped and warm, dry weather set in. In most vineyards the mildew dried out, leaves and bunches recovered, and vine health improved markedly; the Consejo credits the work of growers and wineries in those critical weeks with protecting the final quality. Ripening then ran a normal course, with good quality parameters and heavier average berry weight. The harvest was one of the longest in Rioja's history, running from 27 August to 15 November on traditional dates, staggered because the grapes were slow to finish ripening. Benign weather in September and October let growers pick in stages and select rigorously in vineyard and winery. The crop was large: 486 million kg of grapes, 88 percent red and 12 percent white.

• Abundant winter and spring rain; bud break from the second half of March, 4 or 5 days behind a normal year
• First half of July: rain, storms and hail with seasonal heat created ideal mildew conditions
• Dry, warm weather from the second half of July dried out the mildew in most vineyards
• Harvest ran 27 August to 15 November, one of the longest in Rioja's history, on traditional dates

The Consejo Regulador rated 2018 "Buena" (Good), calling it a harvest marked by uncertainty that ended with satisfactory results. Its technicians drew more than 5,245 samples straight from the fermentation tanks, tasted by a panel of 150 professionals. The Consejo found average alcohol slightly lower than in previous years and praised the reds for their finesse, intense and vivid color and harmony on the palate, a balance of structure and elegance that reflects a slow, careful harvest. It singled out the whites for great quality, especially Rioja's native varieties, with great aromatic intensity. Pablo Franco, director of the Consejo's control body, described a complex vintage with a marked Atlantic influence whose first wines showed notable structure typical of traditional Rioja, marked by balance and acidity rather than alcohol.

• Official rating: "Buena" (Good), after more than 5,245 tank samples tasted by 150 professionals
• Reds: finesse, intense and vivid color, harmony on the palate, slightly lower average alcohol
• Whites: great quality, especially Rioja's native varieties, with great aromatic intensity
• Pablo Franco: a complex, Atlantic-influenced vintage of balance and acidity rather than alcohol

Of the 486 million kg of grapes picked, 204 million kg came from Rioja Alta, 188 million kg from Rioja Oriental and 94 million kg from Rioja Alavesa. Slightly under 470 million kg were approved for Rioja, yields averaged close to the authorized maximum of about 7,500 kg per hectare across some 65,000 hectares, and a little over 15 million kg of grapes were not approved. In all, 332.64 million litres were certified as DOCa Rioja: 287.33 million red, 28.94 million white and 16.37 million rosado. That made 2018 the largest harvest in Rioja's history by volume of certified wine, ahead of the roughly 310 million litres of 2000.

• Grapes by zone: Rioja Alta 204 million kg, Rioja Oriental 188 million kg, Rioja Alavesa 94 million kg
• Yields near the authorized maximum of about 7,500 kg per hectare
• Certified: 332.64 million litres, of which 287.33 million red, 28.94 million white, 16.37 million rosado
• Largest Rioja harvest on record by certified wine volume, above 2000

2018, like 2000, followed a harvest seriously hit by a major frost that had cut production below Rioja's annual sales volume. The 2000 harvest still holds the record for grapes picked, 490 million kg, but from 52,000 hectares against 65,000 in 2018. On the Consejo's own scale, 2018 sits below its neighbors: it rated 2017 "Very good" and 2019 "Excellent".

• 2018 followed a frost-reduced 2017 crop
• 2000 keeps the record for grapes picked, 490 million kg, from fewer hectares
• Consejo ratings: 2017 "Very good", 2018 "Good", 2019 "Excellent"