‘Challenging’ summer will mean small Burgundy harvest

Burgundy is heading for a small harvest due to the challenging summer weather, vintners are saying.

Burgundy harvest: Small grapes, good quality?

A cold and rainy start to the summer, followed by periods of heat, has led to a failure of many grapes to develop after flowering.

This along with mildew is reducing the potential size of the harvest. Increased sulphur treatments have been necessary to prevent the spread of disease.

At Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg in Vosne Romanée, Marie Andrée Mugneret said that she and her family have made vacation plans, but ‘in complicated years like this one, we will have staff at the domain throughout August to monitor the vineyards,’ she said.

Storms are expected over the weekend, with a fear of hail, according to weather forecasts.

It is hard at this early stage to say anything about potential quality, Mugneret said.

‘It would be like predicting the future of a child at four months pregnancy, but it will certainly be a small harvest.’

Virginie Taupenot-Daniel of Domaine Taupenot Merme in Morey St Denis said grapes that have not been affected are ‘quite small and concentrated, so it will be a small harvest but there may be potential for excellent quality.’

Written by Panos Kakaviatos