What changed
2026-08-07 17:27 UTC → 2026-08-08 09:36 UTC ·
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By early August The 2026 Spain’s wine harvest was already underway vintage is progressing well ahead of the normal calendar across most regions, the continent. In Spain, the Jumilla DOP opened its harvest with a test batch of 600,000 kg and daily intakes now exceed one million kilograms, the official earliest start in Rioja on 6 August and picking in July record. The early heat that accelerated ripening in Rioja, the Canary Islands, Andalusia, Catalonia, Valencia, Murcia, Aragón Islands and El Bierzo. Provisional output remains estimated at 34‑36 million hl, pending final yields from Castilla‑La Mancha, while other regions has also pushed the Rías Baixas DO projects 49.9 million kg of grapes, about 5 % above 2025. Record‑high temperatures have accelerated ripening, compressing start in the harvest window Marche and reducing berry size, Veneto regions of Italy a trend also seen week earlier than usual, with Veneto reporting an 8‑10‑day advance. In the Canavese area, sugar levels have risen sharply, with Babo degrees climbing from 12.9 to as high as 15.3 in late July. Burgundy’s vineyards began picking on 8 August, another record‑early opening, while Maremma Toscana started roughly fifteen days ahead of the Balearic Islands where norm, with vines remaining healthy despite the campaign began heat. The cooperative Bodegas Yuntero in late July and early indicators point Castilla‑La Mancha continues to receive over a larger‑than‑average, high‑quality vintage. The same heat pushed forward million kilograms of grapes per day. Across the pear “blanquilla” harvest in Lleida, with a 10 % yield drop region, growers note smaller bunches and water‑stress concerns but good fruit quality. expect overall quality to stay high. Labor shortages persist. persist: Randstad continues to seek is still seeking more than 1,600 seasonal workers for Galicia, and wineries report difficulty filling pickers, loaders and cellar staff. About 14,500 Spanish seasonal workers are slated remain a major source for France’s vendange, roughly 75 % of whom – around 10,800 – come from Andalusia, attracted by a €9.74 hourly wage and more favorable conditions. Unions warn of possible abusive hiring practices. vendange. Price disputes continue, with the Sindicato Labrego Galego and ASAJA unions accusing buyers of contracts below the €1.52 kg production cost, costs, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and better price controls to sustain protect profitability. Heat waves across southern Europe have moved the harvest forward by up to two weeks. In Italy’s Colli Euganei region picking began on 10 August, a week earlier than last year, with Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay leading. Spain’s Jesús del Perdón‑Bodegas Yuntero opened on 3 August, already processing over a million kilograms of grapes per day and targeting a record 170‑180 million kg for the Airén variety.