The Mildiu fungus hits the vineyards of the Rioja Alavesa hard and threatens the next harvest

Thevineyards of the Rioja Alavesa are facing a severe outbreak of mildiu fungus in this campaign. Production is becoming significantly compromised and will condition next autumn's harvest.

According to a report by the Viticulture and Oenology Service of the Provincial Council of Álava, the development of the fungus has been much higher than in previous campaigns, as more abundant rainfall and temperatures above average have created a "perfect breeding ground" for this pathology.

The report notes that the combination of high humidity, persistent fog and strong vegetative growth has not only caused fungus to appear, but has spread through a second wave of infection, reaching almost the entire region.

The report also points out that in many farms it was "almost impossible" to apply preventive treatments because heavy rains prevented access to the farms with machinery, a limitation which has prevented winemakers from acting in time to stop the spread of the disease.

Although almost all the land in Rioja Alavesa has been affected, the impact on each plot is different: some have minimal damage of around 10% , others have damage of between 70% and 80%. Altitude and soil conditions have also affected the mildiu. Vineyards in the upper areas, well ventilated or lighter soil have suffered less damage.

The Member of the European Parliament has stated that 'the level of affection in mildiu will have a significant economic impact on the sector in this campaign and will increase an already complex situation for the wine sector in Rioja Alavesa'.

However, in the Txakoli vineyard in Álava, in the Ayala Valley, the situation is better. The climate has not been so conducive to the development of mildiu and, as it is a more common disease in the area, the winegrowers usually put in place preventive measures.