It has been a challenging year for many French wine regions. The Ministry of Agriculture predicts a slightly lower volume than the average of the last five years, which is just over 44 million hectolitres and significantly lower than last year’s bumper harvest of 47.9 million hl.
It has been unusually rainy this summer, and many places have suffered severe attacks of downy mildew, a fungal disease. In addition, the weather was cold and damp during flowering, which caused problems with grapes not developing correctly.
However, it has not rained everywhere. In Narbonne in Languedoc, it only rained 250 mm between January and August. Growers expect to lose up to 50% of their harvest. In certain places in Roussillon and Languedoc, the drought is so severe that it is feared that the vineyards will not survive much longer.
Several French wine regions have also experienced spring frosts and violent hailstorms. And then there has been the occasional forest fire to top it all off, but probably without any grapes being smoke-damaged.
However, it is essential to remember that difficult weather does not necessarily mean a lower quality wine.
