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2011 harvest, will it be earlier than 2003 or 1976? Comments are rife among those who write everything in little notebooks all year round and those who remember what their grandfathers told them of previous vintages. One thing is certain; we're early by about two weeks compared to the cycle of recent years.
The old adage "early Easter, late Easter ... buds at Easter” this year it’s the case.
A simple stroll through the vines at this time and we understand that the most prestigious vineyards are already showing their grapes, with 6-7 leaves unfolded, while the regional appellation Bourgogne has been rudely awakened from its winter lethargy. It is often said that the sun shines for everybody; agreed that a sunny month of April is very rare, but at the same time, there will always be glaring differences between the richest and most modest parcels.
In April: N’er cast a cloud ‘til May is out! You can’t imagine being out with a big wool sweater on your back in this heat? Another famous saying collapses.
In May, do what you like! Like it or not, work in the vineyard will not wait. It is not worth considering going on holiday or thinking about enjoying the May bank holidays.
May is the month full of dangers, let me explain:
The winegrowers are scrupulous in the vineyard; bent over to remove the shoots in order to limit the production of grapes and avoid excess yield unworthy of Grand Crus appellation. After thinning the vines 7-10 bunches per vine, according to appellation, remain to ripen until the harvest.
The risk of frost still exists this month, with the period of the "Ice Saints", the 11, 12 and 13th of May (respectively Saint Mamert, Saint Pancras and Saint Servais). Here the winemaker can lose everything overnight to a bad frost.
Last saying to think about: Do not count your chickens before they hatch!
2011 has just begun, wait a few weeks and we'll see ...
Franck GRUX
Franck GRUX
