In Mendoza in Argentina they have nets to protect the vines against hail. In Burgundy they prefer to launch silver nitrate rockets in to the clouds. The effect is that the hail grains become smaller and fall more slowly to the ground. Hopefully. This is not a system that works all the time. But obviously the producers believe in this method and now 45 000 hectares, almost the whole of the Burgundy vine surface, is covered by this protection. Burgundy, as well as several other wine regions in France, has been hit hard by hail in recent years.
This spring 90 new generators will join the 53 already in place. And then only one important detail remains. Finding people that are prepared to launch the rockets when the time comes.
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