Spain: Viticulture

The drip irrigation that became prevalent in the early years of this century markedly changed the vinous landscape of inland Spain. In most of central and southern Spain, the old bush vines are widely spaced to survive the summer drought with vine densities ranging from 900 to 1,600 vines per ha (375–650 per acre) according to the amount of water available (less than one-eighth of the vine density in some médoc or côte d’or vineyards, for example). Growers have adopted a system of planting known as the marco real with 2.5 m between each vine in all directions. Yields from the shrinking proportion of old vines are frequently less than 20 hl/ha (1.1 tons/acre). However, one considerable advantage that accompanies a dry climate is the lack of fungal diseases. powdery mildew, downy mildew, and botrytis bunch rot are virtually unknown in central Spain.