2005 Spanish grape harvest

In the Wines of Spain website (from the Official Spanish Export Promotion Board ICEX) comes a report indicating that the 2005 harvest will be down by 14% in volume. The drop is due to the drought-like conditions in Spain this. On the positive side, the drier conditions mean that there is less chances of fungal problems with the grapes and overall quality should be high: In Rioja there reduced yield is not expected to push up prices.