“À point” in 2024 … the mildew problem

The 2024 harvest is peeping around the corner, and people are starting to count down the days and hours, ready to spring into action when the grapes are ready, or “à point.”

Two weeks back, June 9th 2024, the flowering began in Volnay at Thomas Bouley. The following weeks, Côte de Nuits follow with full flowering. Thomas’ friend, Olivier Lamy, reports that the flowering has already started in his vineyards.

In general, wine growers are now on the pessimistic or downright negative side as the rain and humid weather are starting to cause serious problems. The rain on June 20 and 21st really pushed the alarm button … as the mildew preasure is going from very severe to full red …

Mildew now looks to cauce severe losses in many plots. So far this year, it has not been a full disaster … despite the humid weather, but very frequent spraying has been necessary to keep the vineyards reasonably healthy.

I do, however, hear more and more reports of very severe damage from the mildew … and this will be a big fight.

I have heard reports of more than 40% loss due to mildew even before the heavy rain on June 20th… so this is getting very serious indeed.