A violent hailstorm caused great damage in among others the Pic Saint Loup and Grès de Montpellier appellations in Languedoc on 17 August. Grapes from hundreds of hectares were completely destroyed. The vines afterwards were completely naked, not a single leaf or grape bunch remained. Some growers lost their entire harvest and the Pic Saint Loup appellation lost between 50 and 60% of this year’s harvest.
Hail Insurance may cover some costs and maybe growers will be allowed to buy grapes from other producers in the appellation (as far as anyone has grapes to sell). Normally a grower cannot buy grapes if he does not have the status of a négociant. But in disaster situations like this, the laws can be stretched a little. Read more about hail damage in Languedoc: vitisphere.com
