H2 Harvest news from the Alicante Denomination of Origin shows how climate change is reshaping the rural landscape and the wine business across Canada and the United States markets. The growing heat waves have accelerated grape ripening and shifted the harvest calendar earlier than usual. In Alicante, grape collection activities are now slated to begin next week, a full week ahead of the traditional schedule, mirroring a broader trend seen in warm wine regions. The higher temperatures and drier spells have reduced overall yields by about 10 percent, raising questions about both volume and quality. With these weather-driven constraints, production from the 45 wineries within the Alicante DO is projected to approach the one million hectoliters mark, around 140,000 hectoliters more or less than the long-term average in some seasons.
Weather patterns this year have not been ideal for vineyards. Rainfall was inconsistent, heavier in areas such as l Alcoià, El Comtat, and Las Marinas than in Vinalopó, but the episodic showers occurred long ago and the subsequent drought did little to strengthen crops. A scorching summer with multiple heat waves stressed the vines. Eladio Martín Aniorte, director of DO Vinos de Alicante, described the outlook as somewhat perplexing. He explained that these factors contribute to grapes with less oil and a harvest that may fall 5 to 10 percent depending on the region. The overall production is expected to stay below 30 million kilos, which aligns with the region’s typical scale for many years.
There are concerns about quality as well. High temperatures bring tropical nights, reducing the day-night contrast necessary for ideal maturation. This can hinder proper ripening and alter certain physicochemical parameters that influence wine quality.
An earlier harvest is another consequence of intense heat. In recent years the industry has learned to pick earlier, yet this campaign presents an exception. The first harvest is set to begin next week with Malvasia and Moscatel varieties, when historically these wines are harvested near the end of the month, according to industry insiders.
H2 Harvest begins in the province with a 15 percent production uptick
Miguel Ángel Díaz of Bodegas Pinoso notes that spring brought adequate rainfall, but heat and drought soon followed, limiting water for irrigation. This combination creates a concern for winemakers because grapes may develop outwardly while the seeds lag behind, a factor crucial to final wine character and maturity.
José Juan Reus, president of DO Alicante and Bodegas Xaló, emphasizes the need for proper ripening. He states that the region should see near normal production, yet a few weeks of rain could have produced extraordinary yields.
Industry fears a sharp drop in consumption after summer
The Alicante DO wineries have enjoyed a strong summer, driven by domestic demand. Yet the outlook toward year-end remains uncertain.
Eladio Martín Aniorte notes that summer began with promising prospects thanks to tourism and hospitality, but the coming months present a cloudy picture. Several forces are at work and many sectors feel the pressure. High inflation is eroding consumer purchasing power, while global uncertainty from the war in Ukraine and the U.S. recession raises concerns about broader economic stability in the European Union.
Miguel Ángel Díaz, Bodegas Pinoso, a key exporter to North America, adds that the U.S. recession is already visible in slower sales flows compared with previous years. Alicante wineries ship about 25 percent of their production abroad, with the remainder staying in Spain, a pattern that frames how the DO Alicante manages its growth in North American markets and beyond. (Source attribution: DO Alicante reports)