REPORTAGE
After the bad weather, heatwave, drought, storm and even hail, a few weeks before the beginning of the harvest, how are the vines? Tour of France vineyards to take the pulse of the vines of the hexagon.
"Even in 2003, I do not remember seeing that"
In Alsace, the vines have sunburned because of the heat wave. In his field at Eguisheim, Mathieu Ginglinger expects 10% losses. "The vines have really gotten a big blow with the baton, the film is burnt and it will not have any elasticity, there are even grapes that are completely withered ... In the plain, there are plots where there are 20% to 30% of burns Even in 2003, I do not remember having seen that, "laments the winemaker.
The consequences of drought
In Burgundy, it is hail storms that have particularly affected some varieties of Pinot Noir. Alain Joblot's Alghoté and Montagny vines have been spared, but he expects a half-harvest due to the drought. "In quality at the moment, the bunches are small, if we have some more rain this week and we have good weather in the second half of August and September, we will be able to make a very beautiful vintage, "he hopes.
"My concern is the lack of water"
In the Languedoc-Roussillon, the vineyards of Leaticia Pietri Clara, in Collioure, were rather spared, even if the winemaker fears the water stress. "My concern is the lack of water, but we are lucky to have the influence of the Mediterranean Sea which brings a lot of freshness," says the professional.
And with these climatic conditions, the grape harvests are announced later than in previous years for certain grape varieties. They could start the last week of August.