Douro growing season update?

[Roy Hersh]

Oscar, Dan and others who are actually there and not just reading weather reports ... what is the current reality of the conditions in the various areas of the Douro. If possible, it would be great to hear about the Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior sub-regions.

[oscarquevedo]

The temperatures in the Douro have been going up in the last days. Today is probably the hottest day of the year and the heat wave we currently have is expected to continue until the end of the week. In Ferradosa, which is the beginning of the Douro Superior, the thermometer reached 108º F (42º C) at the top of the day and cool off during the night to temperatures on the 60sº F (20º-25º C). At 9pm yesterday it was 90º F (32º C).

Yesterday, when I went to Quinta Vale d'Agodinho, in Ferradosa, I was surprised by the progress of the ripening. The potential alcohol was 11.86%, much higher that at the same day of August 2007 (10.49%). This year, the vines seem to have more bunches than in previous years, though much smaller. There are more berries per bunch but smaller in dimension.

Due to the high level of rain between April and June, I though this year we would have a late harvest. However, the higher temperatures of the last days are accelerating the ripening and we will probably have an early harvest. Definitively sooner than last year.

[Andy Velebil]

Oscar,

Thanks for the update from the front lines

Hopefully Dan and others can chime in for other regions of the Douro

[Roy Hersh]

Muito obrigado, Oscar!

Of course, the various areas of the Douro will all be on different time frames due to the micro-climates and variance of temperatures etc.

I am shocked that Uncle Tom has not been here to chime in on a weather related/growing season thread!

I know he is up on the NOAA website as we speak. Come on Tom, I know you have a good sense of humor.

What is the latest storm pattern over the Atlantic? Honestly, he probably knows far more about what is coming from the Hurricane Season approaching than any weatherman/expert in the USA. No joke!

[oscarquevedo]

Now, at 7pm in S. João da Pesqueira, the sky is getting grey and it seems a storm is coming. The temperatures went further up last two days, reaching 115ºF (46ºC) and yesterday it rained heavily in up Douro Superior, but not here in S. Joao Pesqueira.

[Andy Velebil]

, reaching 115ºF (46ºC) .

OUCH!!

For those that don't know, and if I get my directions correct, S. João da Pesqueira is a few kilometers east of Pinhao and just south of the Douro River.

[Roy Hersh]

You are correct about which bank of the Douro it is in, but the village itself is quite a bit east of Pinhao from what I remember in terms of travel time.