Frost and Risk of Damage

It’s that time again – the time of nervous vignerons, the time of potential spring frost.

On the night of April 18-19, frost hit parts of Burgundy.

There are no reports of serious damage – yet – but the problem is ongoing this week, and we are now see candles lit in the most frost-susceptible vineyards.

As in recent years, the vines are already ahead in their development, with shoots fully formed in most places and 6-7 leaves evident already.

The vignerons are careful, and take different measures to prevent frostthe damage, including placing large rotary fans in the vines to keep the air moving, and lighting candles in the plots, as we have seen in previous years.

Côte de Beaune, April 5, 2019. Photo: Thibaud Clerget of Domaine Y. Clerget

Global warming impact

One should not neglect the obligation to mention the consequences of global warming and its effects in Burgundy.

Global warming has the potential to destroy the Burgundy we love so much, as the warming climate causes more frost damage due to the vines’ earlier budding brought on by a lack of cold weather during winter. Other implications could be higher ripeness levels, leading to lower acidity and higher alcohol.

Some of this can be mitigated by intelligent viticulture, including two-step – and later -pruning, and attaching the fruiting canes to the wires later. Different trellising techniques including increasing the height of the rows to 1.6 metres or even higher, can create enough shade to lower the temperature in the rows during hot summer days.

Some are doing a lot, others are sitting on their hands doing nothing in their Roundup-infected plots. These are among the reasons to support organic growers and, especially, certified biodynamic vignerons who are setting the standard for the rest to follow.

I will follow the temperatures this week and next week, and until the end of April.

Best of luck to the vignerons fighting the frost.