CONTENTS
table of contentsIn previous articles we have already shown you a little bit about what is the grape harvest and how this process is carried out in order to provide the best quality to wine lovers, but do you know how this event is celebrated in different parts of the world?
As we already know, the different parts of the world that are wine producers carry out different processes and rituals for grape harvesting that go hand in hand with their cultures, traditions and even the climatic region to which they belong.
Here we will briefly show you some of the grape harvest or wine-related festivals that take place in some wine producing countries.
How many types of grape harvest are there?
To begin with, it is important to mention that the harvest The harvest is carried out in four different ways: manually and mechanically because of the way it is harvested, as well as at night and late to avoid the heat or to allow the grapes to dehydrate and make dessert wines. In this text we will highlight mainly the first two:
1.- Manual
Hand harvesting is used primarily to preserve and care for the integrity of the grapes for the creation of high quality wines. This process consists, as its name indicates, of harvesting the grape bunches by hand.
Once the grapes are harvested, they are transported in boxes in small quantities to ensure that they are not damaged and arrive optimally to the next step in winemaking. This type of harvest has considerably high production costs due to the high demand for labor.
Mechanics
Mechanical harvesting, on the other hand, is carried out by machines designed for the harvest, which collect the bunches of grapes grown in vineyards separated from each other so that the machinery has space to carry out the harvesting.
This process is more economical than the previous one due to the low labor demand, however, in this vindima the harvest is more susceptible to damage which could affect the quality of the wine.
When does the harvest take place?
Depending on the different parts of the world where this event takes place, usually towards the end of summer, but the harvest may vary in month or season due to the geographical positioning of the main wine producing countries in the world.
Here are some of the most recognized celebrations of wine and its harvest worldwide:
Mexico
In Mexico, a variety of grape harvest festivals are held every year due to the richness of its wine regions.
These celebrations take place between July and October and include tastings of the best Mexican wines. Mexican winesparties, guided tours and concerts. However, the grape harvests in Ensenada, Baja California, are one of the most famous and crowded in the country due to being the most important wine region of the country.
If you want to visit this beautiful region, it is best to do so during the month of August, which ProVino and the Mexican Wine Council officially recognize as the month of the Fiestas de la Vendimia.
Argentina
This grape harvest festival, known as the National Grape Harvest Festival, takes place mainly in the province of Mendoza, between the months of February and March, that is, during the summer .
This event consists of four main celebrations such as the "Blessing of the Fruits", the "Carousel", the "White Way of the Queens" and the "Central Act"; the latter is considered one of the most representative of the Argentine wine culture, due to the artistic shows presented in the Greek amphitheater "Frank Romero Day".
Spain
The Spanish grape harvest is celebrated in all wine producing regions, but here we will describe two wine regions of this European country, Valencia and Barcelona. On the one hand, the grape harvest in Valencia is known as the "Fiesta de la Vendimia en Requema" and is celebrated from August 20 to 31 each year; it is characterized by the celebration of its fair, with a medieval-inspired style and origin since 1947.
On the other hand, the wine festival held in Barcelona is known as the "Festa de la Verema a Alella", which takes place every second weekend of September, and is highlighted by the grape treading contest and the subsequent selection of the "pubilla", which will be weighed in front of the spectators and will be given its equivalent weight in bottles of wine.
Italy
The Italian grape harvest is celebrated in many regions, that of Asti, a town in the Piedmont region of northeastern Italy is particularly famous. This celebration is called "Vino Douja d'Or" and has been held since 1967 in September, with the most representative event being the closing of the grape harvest with a bareback horse race.
France
As in Spain, France also holds two events related to the harvesting of grapes for wine in all the wine-producing regions of the country, the following are the celebrations in Paris and Burgundy
The "Fête des vengandes de Montmartre"in Paris takes place the first week of October, in the oldest vineyard in France dating from the sixteenth century. Among its celebrations is a parade held in honor of the god Bacchus in which the petit poulbots play different types of drums. The parade starts in the streets of Montmartre and ends with a fireworks show in the main square.
Burgundy celebrates one of the oldest wine-related festivals in the region; the so-called "Les Trois Glorieuses".Les Trois Glorieuses" that since 1895 every November during three days, remarkable activities such as the "Hospices de Beaune" auction where the youngest wines presented at the celebration are auctioned.
Canada
In this region of the American continent, a set of three festivals called "Niagara Wine Festivals" are held.Niagara Wine Festivals". The venue for these festivals is the city of Ontario and they have been held since 1951 during the months of January, June and September of each year, respectively.
The Niagara Wine Festival in September is the most popular, and the host of more than 100 activities such as the famous Montebello Park tours.
On the other hand, the Niagara Icewine Festival takes place at the end of January and beginning of February with the purpose of harvesting frozen grapes for the production of its famous icewine, known for being sweet and with an exquisite concentration of aromas. Among its most important activities is the Ice Wine Gala.
Finally, in June, the "Niagara New Vintage Festival" is celebrated.Niagara New Vintage Festival"to celebrate the flavors of the region's newest wines, as well as to meet to discuss the latest trends and developments in wine culture. The event offers tours, tastings and special events.
Both in the New World and in Europe, a new harvest is always a cause for celebration and reminds winemakers of tradition and pride in winemaking.
Now that you know how the grape harvest for wine is celebrated in different regions of the world, we invite you to live the experience of the Grape Harvest in El Cielo, where you will taste different types of wine, you can step on the grapes and live other experiences that you will love.
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