Hailstorms over Burgundy

The morning sun has revealed all the carnage caused by the violent thunderstorm last night, July 11. As always, it will take several days to fully estimate the damage wrought by a violent storm like this.

In a preliminary evaluation this morning, after an evening of rain and hail, the damage looks severe in some areas, mainly Meursault, but further reports will come in during the day.

I will try to update as I know more ….

Rain and flooding

The rain was heavy and even violent in some places, and there could be some flooded cellars. There is quite a bit of work to be done in the vines now to reinforce the protection against mildiou and oidium after the heavy rain.

Hailstorm

The much more serious part, however, is the hail damage – heavy damage, mainly in Meursault, but also some minor damage in many other villages, which also took a punch.

The hailstones collected in Meursault last night (pictures below) show the force of nature and the potential devastation of a hailstorm over the vineyards.

_{Photo: Marthe Henry, Meursault}

Photos taken in a village vineyard of Meursault.

^{Photo: Thibaud Clerget}

We can only hope that the damage is not too widespread. But even modestly sized hailstones can do quite a bit of damage to the grapes – the next few days will show the full story.

Courage to all the affected vignerons!

Photo: Domaine Vincent Latour, Meursault