Bordeaux: Semillon harvest begins, Merlot next week

As the sunshine continues in Bordeaux, the Semillon harvest in Pessac Leognan is underway - around 10 days later than average.

Chateau Carbonnieux brought in its first Semillon at the end of last week, while Chateau Latour Martillac began picking two days ago on September 23. The sugar levels are for 12-13º potential alcohol.

Tristan Kressman, owner of Latour Martillac, told decanter.com, ‘Even last week I was worried about the ripeness of the Semillon, but we have had four days of not only sunshine, but a good easterly wind that concentrates the grapes and quickens ripening.’

According to the Meteorological Office in Paris, since September 14 there has been full sunshine across the Bordeaux region, with just one recorded day of rain on September 18. Temperatures are up to 22ºC during the day, falling to a cool 10ºC at night.

The Merlot harvest in Pomerol is due to start at Couvent de l’Eglise, owned by Borie-Manoux negociants, next Monday, September 29, although most producers on the Right Bank and in the Medoc will be waiting until the following week, October 6.

Written by Jane Anson