Frost and Risk of Damage – update

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

On the night of March 26th and 27th 2026, and again 27th to 28th, frost hit parts of Burgundy – after causing damage in Chablis even earlier.

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

Candles are litt also on this night March 27/March 28 with potential damage in Côte de Beaune. I am trying to gather more information about Côte de Beaune, where the vines are more advanced with the buds getting out of the cotton. But so far no reports of serious damage in Côte de Beaune.

The damage seems to be minor in the big white appellation, but borderline as it was close with high humidity and temperatures 3 degrees below zero. Céline Fontaine-Gagnard have been working hard with candles in the vineyards and as she underlines – we need to wait a couple of days before we can access the damage more precisely.

Chassagne-Montrachet – 28 March 2026 – Photo Céline Fontaine-Gagnard.

As in recent years, the vines are already ahead in their development, in Chablis and in some areas in Côte de Beaune with shoots partly formed in the most advanced areas already.

The buds are not so advanced in Côte de Nuits yet with the buds still in the cotton in most places. This will definately be a struggle for the next weeks as the development of the buds advances.

The vignerons are careful, and take different measures to prevent frost 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.

Puligny 28 March 2026 – Photo Allie Mills

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.