(TDB) - Severe frosts have wreaked havoc on many vineyards in northern Spain including Rioja, Bierzo, Galicia and Ribera del Duero winemakers have revealed to dbHK at a tasting this week, following earlier reports of frost damages in Champagne and Bordeaux.

Speaking to dbHK at Hong Kong importer Continental Wines’ annual portfolio tasting on Thursday, two Spanish wineries – Valdesil, one of the biggest Godello producers in Galicia, and Losada from Bierzo, said severe frosts in late April and early May have left many vineyards with widespread damages.

“In Bierzo and the upper part of Rioja Alta, they are pretty much affected, and nearby Navarra is not really affected,” says Victor Quinson of Losada winery. “It happened only two weeks ago, a very late frost”.

Frost damaged about 30-40% of the vines at his vineyards in Bierzo, he admitted, not the most severally affected compared with vineyards at slightly higher altitudes in Bierzo he added. Despite this year’s looming production cut, the vintner stated that prices for his wines, all made from indigenous Mencía grape, will not increase.