Laguardia, May 2013
Reflections and comments on the 2012 vintage Juan Carlos López de Lacalle
Nowadays, organic farming and bio dynamics are something fashionable among avant-garde vine growers and winemakers. In what concern us, the respect for the environment, the fauna and flora that co-exist in our vineyards is our objective, even our obsession. In the past we have lived these experiences from a certain distance. However, it is true that we have considered them as part of our philosophy, supporting philosophically all the activities directed towards the preservation of the environment. We can put into words this perception by saying that before we felt all this “skin-deep”, that is to say, in a superficial manner. However, when someone discovers deeper the respectful viticulture, when you feel the need of preserving Nature and the natural resources of the vines, your commitment becomes much more intense. It is something similar to start a journey together; both vineyard and vine grower will share the growing cycle of the vine until the moment of obtaining its fruit and making the wine. The vine grower’s attitude under these premises of co-existence is not of fighting against the vineyard and the natural phenomena. On the contrary, the vine grower joins the vine helping it as a travelling companion and friend that provides support and understanding in adversity. From experience we can tell that it is possible to reach this close fusion between vineyard and vine grower through respect and understanding of Nature’s behaviour. We are sure that when you feel the vineyard it is easy to transfer this feeling to the wine. This might be our aim: to feel and follow the life of the vineyard and the authenticity of its wines under a base of balance and respect for Nature.
Our aim: to feel and live the peace of the vineyard and the authenticity of its wines After this brief introduction, I would like to examine (dwell on) the weather conditions and the characteristics of the growing cycle that every year help us to define the new vintage. We have had three very dry years in a row and this year 2012 this situation has become even more dramatic. We have registered 407 l/m2 during this season; 80 of these litres were recorded during November 2011 and another 80 litres in October 2012. This data implies that 160 l/m2 were recorded practically outside the active growing cycle of the vineyard. Regarding temperatures and as compensation to the drought suffered, we would like to point out that the records of average temperatures was below the average in our region, that is to say, they were milder in winter and lower than the average during summer. However, nowadays and to be honest, we do not feel the controversy or goodness of a vintage influenced by the weather conditions in which the development of the growing cycle takes place. At the moment, we feel closer the character and personality which define a unique vineyard at a unique vintage. It seems obvious then that there are other factors apart from the climate which define the character of every vintage. The interaction between the macro and microcosm is obvious. We wonder why so often a vintage has such a different character from another if the weather conditions have been similar? Why our grandparents, based on traditions and observation, carried out the different field tasks (e.g. sowing, pruning, etc.) in one moment or another depending on the different phases of Moon and the stars? These are questions with no answers that lead us to accept the existence of forces out of our control showing different realities.
250 225 200 175 150 125 100 75 50 25 0
Graphic showing average temperature/rainfall ratios AĂąo medio - 2010/2011- 2011/2012
January February
March
April
May
June
July
August September October November December
Average year
2010 / 2011
2011 / 2012
Average year
2010 / 2011
2011 / 2012
25 23 21 19 17 15 13 11 9 7 5 3 1 -1
ÂşC
L/m2
Probably due to our human conditions, it is easier for us to consider physical parameters (temperature, rainfall, sugar levels, acidity, etc.) when we want to issue a judgement about a certain wine. Clearly, these parameters make it easier for us to understand and describe the peculiarities of a vintage but I know now that every vineyard and every vintage hide much deeper sensations.
Only if we go into the environment we will discover values full of content within wine; values that are only to be discovered under respect and observation To sum up, I would like to define the 2012 vintage under these premises: We find limpid and transparent wines. They are wines full of direct messages and fresh aromas. They are translucent and let us feel the freshness of tender fruits with red and vibrant notes. In the mouth, these are wines which arrogantly generate open spaces and free movements. The tannins of these young wines tiptoe in the mouth.
Frankness, limpidity and carefree harmony