The weather looks good on the way to harvest, with temperatures on most days beyond 30 degrees, and so far, not very much trouble with heavy rain or thunder.

The ripeness will move fast with the high temperatures, and quite a lot will be ready to pick in the week starting August 25th. Some are, however, planning to begin on Monday, September 1st … and some even later.

The whites have been trailing the reds with an expected harvest time a bit later than the reds. As in the previous hot years ripening of the whites can accelerate, turning optimal phenolic ripeness into a sweet and contourless fruit soup within a few days.

It is however, always a gamble with one part always being the unpredictable weather forecasts … very difficult indeed … as the ripeness level appears to be accelerating in most parts of Burgundy.

I really hope that the vignerons have manned up to deal with the global warming conditions – some of the big estates have already increased the number of pickers by 40%

Ready?

Yesterdays Harvest View