French winegrowing regions take stock of the 2010 harvest

In Champagne region, winemakers are cautiously optimistic. They expect yields to increase up 8% compared to 2009. Thus, they also expect a slight increase in export shares, which could in turn lead to stable value sales. “We can relax – The 2010 vintage brings us back to normality,” the winemakers say.

In Bordeaux, according to Météo France, June was the hottest for 35 years, and the first two weeks of July were the hottest since 1921. However, in mid-July fears aroused that the 2010 vintage could be another 2003. “The heat, mixed with rain, particularly after flowering in May, has interfered with the development of the grapes,” says Veronique Sanders of Château Haut Bailly. “But, prospects are great. The development of the vines is magnificent and we cannot detect a reduction in volume.”

Alsace winemakers are expecting a classical harvest, which will be slightly affected by mildew caused by recent rains at the end of July. However, throughout most of July, the weather was hot and dry. “We had a difficult flowering here in the Alsace, which delayed the development for about three weeks,” explains Thierry Fritsch, oenologist of the CIVA (Conseil Interprofessional des Vins d´Alsace). But the nice weather throughout July accelerated the development process of the vines so that we expect a normal harvesting season, starting about mid-September.”

Paul Avril of Clos des Papes in Chateauneuf du Pape also expects a classic vintage with a later harvest than 2009. In Burgundy, Sylvain Pitiot of the domain Clos de Tart also confirmed a difficult flowering period, marked by coulure. “The cold winter and rains in spring delayed the growing season for at least two weeks,” says Pitiot. “But the top-notch month of July sped up the process of development. From the current point of view, we expect a rather average harvest in Burgundy in 2010. However, the coulure means that harvest volume could be decreased by 20%. (aw.yoopress)