Bordeaux Vintage 2012 so far

Wet spring with rain at time of flowering indicates uneven ripening Even within the same vineyard plot some bunches of grapes are ripe and others are not at all! This is happening even within the same bunch! Wet spring and early summer has meant risk of mildew has been high and necessitated more sulphate spraying …

Summer here at last in Bordeaux and the grapes are getting ready to change colour

Temperatures have risen in the vineyards of Bordeaux since the 14 July bank holiday when many start their summer holidays. The small green grapes are getting bigger and in a week or so will change colour in most of the regions. They have already started in the warm gravel soils of the Graves region south …

Bordeaux 2012 Vintage: Record Rainfall and not much sun for the holiday-makers

The school holidays have started in France and those that holiday in July known as the  'juilletistes' are on the roads heading for their holiday destinations. Temperatures soared on Saturday one of the busiest on the roads in the French calender, but the day ended in torrential downpours for most. For the past few weeks …

2012 Bordeaux Vintage; not an easy one so far for the wine producers

Summer has definitely arrived in the vineyards of Bordeaux with temperatures this week of over 30°C. The vines have finished flowering and the little grapes are swelling in their bunches. There has been some 'coulure' with some of the little berries staying small which will bring yields down - not a bad thing. The combination of the …

2012 Vintage Fête de la Fleur: vines in flower all over Bordeaux’s vine region

Harvest on schedule for around end September! Good flowering conditions so far but rain forecast.....

Bordeaux Vines caught up, flowering on schedule for next week

The recent hot weather in Bordeaux's vineyards have meant that the vines have caught up any delay due to cold temperatures and wet weather experienced from mid April until mid May. The much needed rain has filled the empty water tables and the vegetative cycle is 'full speed ahead'. During flowering we are looking for sunshine and warm consistent temperatures during the …