#Bordeaux2020 please give us a break

You think it sounds like fun to have your own vineyard and make your own wine! It seems that the weather conditons are getting more extreme (is this down to global warming?) here in Bordeaux at least and it is providing a continual headache for the winemakers here. Cabernet Franc If the problems caused by …

2016 Bordeaux looking good

The spring and early summer was cold and wet (filling the water table to the top!). The summer since mid July has been exceptionally hot and dry! The vines are parched that is for sure, particularly the younger ones whose roots don't yet go down that deep. After a very wet Spring, (there has been no …

Hopes for Bordeaux 2014 rise with continual sunny weather but storms and hail risk all

As we finish the third week of hot sunshine with daily temperatures of 30°C, electrical storms and heavy rain have arrived in the Bordeaux wine region with some hail  in lower St Emilion. Ideally the grapes would have a week or two more sunshine. The very sunny weather since the beginning of September has driven …

Bordeaux 2014; grapes ripening slowly in cool summer sun

Apparently August 'makes the wine'. So far it has been very changeable, wet and not much sun. Its around 24°C during the day, not the usual heat of the August sun, and the nights and mornings are cold around 10c (more like the autumn). Despite the unfavorable conditions the bunches of grapes are turning red …

Bordeaux Harvest 2013 – is there hope?

Cabernet Grapes turning red in the warm gravelly soils of St Estephe (Lafon-Rochet). We have never experienced these difficult growing conditions before (cold, wet spring, rain at flowering, storms, hail - see earlier articles). Due to the late start the entire growing season has been delayed by at least two weeks which brings harvest into the …

Assessment of the 2012 Bordeaux Vintage now its in the barrel

Early unfavourable conditions for the vine which encouraged disease and above all disrupted the flowering, were caught up with exceptionally sunny and dry August and September enabling canny producers to harvest healthy grapes before the deluge of rain towards end October. (Based on a report issued by Euralis experts) Disturbed Flowering The first half of the vine's …

Burgundy 2012: Aubert de Villaine – Quickfooted succeeded

"A harvest like the one we have just completed makes us even more aware, if that were necessary, of the importance of gambling - and luck - in the success or failure of a vintage." A detailed vintage report (via Jancisrobinson.com) from Aubert de Villaine (co-owner and director of Domaine Romanée Conti the 4.5 acre vineyard of …

Bordeaux 2012; grapes ripen in the autumn sunshine, still some way to go

The grapes are sweet and aromatic, the skins still tough and green tasting and the pips still green and unripe. So far the grapes are in good healthy state. The 2012 is late compared to last year, the weather is sunny and set to continue for the time being. The grape bunches look good with …

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 …

2008 Bordeaux pre and flowering

At last the sun is shining in Bordeaux after a very wet spring. The vines are about two weeks behind normal with the lack of sun and wet conditions but so far the infant light green leaves are healthy and growing.  Lot of greenery and vegetation which will be trimmed back in time during 'le rognage'.  Most …